Nearly two years ago I asked: “What’s the future of this building?“. Although readers expressed interest and offered some information, the question couldn’t be clearly answered. Now, I can tell you what the future is: a nightclub/restaurant the likes of which Raleigh has yet to see on the ground level, and office space on the upper levels.

Located at 309 North Dawson Street, this was the former home of the Melrose Knitting Mill, which was a local manufacturer of underwear. You can see some faded outlines of the ‘underwear’ part on the image above.

There are  lots of plans for the outdoor area: a grill, pizza oven, bar, and possibly other water features.

The new venue will be owned and operated by the same person that owns Mosaic Wine Lounge. You can expect some of the same Moroccan/North African style and influences in the establishment shown here, but to be on a more grand and luxurious scale.

At the risk of sounding coy, I can say there are larger plans than I’m outlining here. Because of the tentative nature of planned features for the new establishment, I was asked not share everything on the table, including the name.

The planned opening date is about six months from now, but that’s all subject to change based on various inspections and construction work completion. Because so much effort is concentrated on the outdoor aspect of the place, I’m guessing that there will be a big push to be complete around the time fall sets in.

The spaces above the ground floor will house offices. The plans for the outdoor area were described to me as “resembling the garden of Eden”, and should provide an interesting visual landscape for the folks lucky enough to work upstairs.

Where the future bar will be

Construction crews are working nearly around the clock, including weekends and evenings to get this place off the ground. It’s a welcome sign to see such a project in downtown Raleigh in the current economic climate.

We will continue to bring you information and developments of the new venue.

I usually don’t ride with the crowd on Raleigh’s First Fridays. It isn’t because of any particular reason, but it’s usually tough for me to make it to the Bell Tower by 7. This past Friday I was able to make it, and am glad I did.

Everyone gathers at the Bell Tower at 7PM

There’s a unique energy that comes with riding with dozens of other cyclists. Much like a school of fish or flock of birds, the safety-in-numbers factor makes for a comfortable and stress-free ride. No worries about rude auto drivers honking or riding close on a narrow road.

The first stop was Ant Farm in Boylan Heights. While we missed the rumored karaoke, we did get to see work from Rachel Herrick:

Rachel will be using everyday objects (like old slides, furniture, and cookies and milk) to conjure up feelings of familial comfort and loss.

From there, it was across town towards ahpeele.

The works on display at ahpeele made this my favorite stop on the tour. Giant robots, skulls, and birds in various 2D and 3D forms.

Too few ceilings are decorated these days. The one here was beautiful.

Each skull warranted a long look. There was quite a lot going on in each piece.

The robots grabbed my attention, and were my favorite 3D art to view of the evening. Each piece was very affordable, too: prices ranged from $100 to $150 each.

This face seems familiar, but I can’t quite place it. Any hints?

Next stop was DesignBox, to see the exhibit from Lauren Pegram:

A self-described “pink painted plastic soldier,” Lauren Pegram fights a war armed with the only thing she knows to fight with: an insatiable thirst for knowledge and truth. The only peace she finds comes in the form of creating. Exploring identity and sexual orientation, these works also carry subtle anti-racist and feminist undertones. Although not seeking to paint others pink or to rally troops, Pegram seeks to affect and pierce other’s consciousness and emotions, to gain admittance of truths, to extend influence peacefully.

The hanging dress made quite a statement. Someone commented it looked like a shotgun blast. I thought it looked more like a direct impact from a medieval cannon.

Andi Shelton and Matt McConnell at DesignBox

Tim O’Brien (above) was a photographer that was part of the bike swarm. He was kind enough to take the top photo of all the bikers gathered using my camera. (Thanks Tim!)

Lump is always my favorite gallery to visit. The exhibits on display could be as simple as a few crystals in the center of the room with vintage stereo equipment, or a completely immersed and labyrinth-like set of woodcuts and poster prints. It is guaranteed to be something that makes you think about the subject matter.

Lump is pleased to present worms are the words, a collaborative installation by Joy Feasley and Paul Swenbeck. The twisted narrative of this exhibition revolves around Shakerism, Wicca and a Salem legend-trip. Lump will host an opening reception Friday, February 5th from 7 – 10pm during the First Friday Gallery Walk located in downtown Raleigh.  The exhibition will run from February 5th through March 20th and is on view Saturdays from noon – 5pm and appointment during the week.

To convey a sense of this story, Swenbeck and Feasley will transform the gallery into a Shaker interior. Two fundamental opposing forces are at work here. The first motif is a Shaker austerity rooted in the idea that Heaven is right here on earth. The second is the passionate abandon offered up in Shaker religious expression. At first glance, the simple reproductions seem to be a reverent but rough take on the original. On closer inspection, the room is filled with phantasmagorical details that belie a secret Pagan belief. Feasley will be making psychedelic spirit drawings hanging from peg rails, while Swenbeck will offer up sculptures of alien plants and Neolithic ritual tools to flesh out the narrative in real space.

Riding with the crowd down Wilmington Street

Creative bike mounting

Saving the best for last

Although the various 3D art pieces at ahpeele were fascinating and beautiful, my favorite exhibit of the evening was a photography piece by Miller Taylor at the student-run Fish Market. It was a series of photographs of his grandmother in the small town he was from, and it was nothing short of amazing. Beyond the beautiful composition and presentation, each photograph told a story and left you wanting to know more.

I’ve always lived where there were pine trees… and corn grew.
–Geneva Lynette Hester Dailey, born February 12, 1922

Ancestral Lore

The collection of images depicts my Grandmother returning to the major locations of her life, scenes that live on in her written stories and oral histories. She is seen on the ancestral farm known only as “The Old Place” which was purchased by her grandfather. She points to the chimney within the collapsed remains of the house he built there during the Civil War, the place of her birth. In the small community of White Oak she stands in the neatly planted rows of trees that were once her backyard and looks toward the barren hill where her and her husband’s house once stood, many years ago, before it was destroyed by fire. In front of a backdrop of worn wood and peeled paint, she pauses by the doorway of the old Post Office that her husband walked through everyday while serving as a rural Letter Carrier after returning from WWII. In her current home, where I grew up, she plays the harmonica and shows her favorite picture: an image of her father, Graham, posing with a pistol that she still keeps today. These are the scenes still given life through oral history, the settings of our Ancestral Lore.
Photos by Miller Taylor

According to the Facebook event page, the Fish Market is open from 6 until 11PM and the show runs until this Wednesday. I highly recommend it.

Hidden in an auto shop off of West Johnson Street (near an abandoned DeSoto and Chrevrolet) lies a 1957 Ford Country Sedan station wagon. What makes this car particularly unique is that it is the result of combining the front ends of two identical cars. That means two steering wheels, two radios, two sets of headlights, and so on.

Two station wagons were chosen because the pitch of the roof was just right to be flat once both cars were joined. The emergency brake on each end doesn’t function as a brake; rather it is used to lock the wheels in place for whichever end will serve as the rear. Although it has only one engine, it can drive in either direction, if put in reverse.

If there are two drivers, the car can crab walk, dog walk, drive diagonally and nearly sideways as well as other unique car dance moves as a result of having four wheels that can turn. It was built here in Raleigh, and has been in several local parades.

Although it is street legal, it hasn’t been driven since about 1994.

An ad for a 1957 Ford Country Sedan station wagon

Looking at what this car used to look like, I can’t help but wonder what happened to rear sections of both cars. It seems like they could be combined, to create a camper trailer that could be towed by the car with two front ends.

The car was created by brothers Linwood and Roger King in the late 1950s. Roger’s son Phil was kind enough to give me a bit of the history of it.

Construction crews recently began working at the future home of the Contemporary Art Museum on 409 West Martin Street. Within the past few days, the banner in the photo above was put up on the front of the building.

The 1920s-era building in the Warehouse District has had a sign designating it as the future home of CAM for a couple of years, but movement really began late last year, after designs were completed by Clearscapes and Pugh + Scarpa:

Our architectural team of Clearscapes and Pugh + Scarpa have finished their design work. The City of Raleigh has approved our building permit, and we have selected C.T. Wilson as our general contractor. We anticipate starting construction in the first quarter of 2010 and opening the museum in 2011.

- CAM, Dec 09

The loading dock and the awning over it on the east side of the building have already been removed. Below is a rendering of how this same view will look once completed.

The sweeping angular roof line is a bold and beautiful nod to the future resting on the side of a historic building. It will give shade to an outdoor space where a surface parking lot now exists.

This is the only structure in the Warehouse District with the distinct aluminum window shades typically seen on period residential construction in the 50s, and it will be interesting to see if these remain part of the final design. My guess is that they will likely be taken off, much like the ones on the Lulu Building were.

Sandwiched between Flanders Gallery and Designbox, the area is quickly transforming from a quiet relic of Raleigh’s manufacturing past in to an emerging arts district.

Further Reading:

• CAM Home
• The Contemporary Art Foundation
• CAM on Facebook

To learn more about the Joe Cox exhibition and to view samples of the works being offered for sale, visit The Color Wall Restoration Fund site.

The Color Wall, shortly before it went dark in 2007.

The Color Wall Restoration Project is being coordinated by a dedicated group of volunteers on behalf of, and under the guidance of, the NCSU Libraries. The Color Wall Restoration Fund site is managed by the contributors of Goodnight, Raleigh! and is not affiliated with NC State University.

One of Raleigh’s most unique high-rise structures is obscured or otherwise not visible in the photo above. Do you know which one?

Café Helios had a full crowd for the DJ Dance Party this past Saturday.

Wolfman premiered last night at Carolina Cinemas.

The cast of RedBlackDead.com were broadcasting live from the lobby.

The Wolfman and Medusa were in attendance to help give away prizes.

Ed Warner and Christine Parker were there to promote their horror films: Forever Dead and Fistful of Brains – a zombie western filmed in Brogden.

Above is Christine Parker – writer and director of Forever Dead and Fistful of Brains. They are distributed by Brain Damage Films.

The guys from RedBlackDead.com held a howling contest and a dance off with the Wolfman!

Here are some of the Howling Contestants:

A few shots from behind the scenes:

Ed Warner putting the finishing touches on Medusa – a.k.a. – Porcelain.

Behind the Wolfman – Jameson Rodrique

Part of the new vegetarian menu at Porter's

I swore off meat several years ago. I don’t remember the date or even the season. I just stopped one day without any deliberation. As a former meatatarian who couldn’t enjoy a meal without a substantial amount of protein, I had to adapt quickly. Having to explain the rationale for this life decision to my carnivorous comrades is one I find myself answering on a regular basis. I usually mumble something about a family history of heart problems (completely true) and leave it at that. I prefer not getting in philosophical debates about what is moral and what isn’t.

Of course, I’m not here to talk about the personal decision. I’m going to talk about some of the restaurants downtown that make an extra effort for those who like to eat a meal or two without meat.

Here are some of my favorite spots that offer delicious non-meat food. Don’t let the listing of a restaurant here imply they only have great vegetarian food, all offer far more meat options than not.

Remedy Diner

Although this list isn’t any sort of ranking of friendliness toward the vegetarian crowd, Remedy Diner deserves the top spot. No other restaurant has as many options. From delicious vegan buffalo wings, to (fake) sloppy joes, (fake) parmesan chicken sandwiches, to a host of all-day breakfast options, it’s difficult to get tired of the options provided. The prices can’t be beat, there are varying drink and menu specials every day, and the service is second to none. I’m here at least once a week and would be incredibly sad if I didn’t have this option. They have gluten-free and vegan options as well.

You can learn more about the history of the building in a previous post by Raleigh Boy.

137 East Hargett Street

The Rockford

Situated in a nondescript location on Glenwood Avenue, The Rockford is type of place you only discover via word of mouth. There is no sign, no web site, and no local advertisements of any sort. There are rotating vegetarian-friendly entrees and side items offered daily. I recommend the Mission Burrito, it’s the best in town.

320 1/2 Glenwood Avenue

The Borough

In a somewhat quiet part of downtown, the Borough features a lively crowd and diverse selection of vegetarian friendly dishes at fantastic prices. They have great soups and innovative food choices. One of my favorite places to eat. It’s where Sid’s favorite server once worked, as well as the legendary Sneaky Q. The Redbeard is the best veggie burger in town.

317 West Morgan Street

Thaiphoon Bistro

Thaiphoon, like the Rockford, is hidden on Glenwood Avenue amongst the more traditional dining options. What sets this place apart is a diverse menu of ethnic foods, from various types of curry to soups. The atmosphere is great and seating comfortable. Despite being popular on weekends, I’ve never had to wait to find a table (I may just be lucky). Serving menus on DVD and Vinyl covers is a creative touch. If you’ve never been, it’s well worth a trip.

301 Glenwood Avenue

The Player’s Retreat

The Player’s Retreat is the oldest bar in Raleigh. This place has a lot going for it: it has the largest selection of single-malt scotches in the state, probably the largest collection of beer bottles/cans in the state, and has a great menu to boot. The owner, Gus Gusler, has put forth a tremendous effort toward bringing the menu up to par with the slightly more upscale establishments downtown. He invested a lot in a modern and state of the art kitchen, too. The menu offers a wide variety of sandwiches and pastas, as well as entire vegetarian-friendly section. Enjoy a bit of living Raleigh history with a great meal.

105 Oberlin Road

Laziz Biryani Corner

The only Indian Restaurant near the downtown area, Laziz Biryani Corner blends a home-cooked atmosphere with some delicious and affordable options. A hidden gem amongst the typical Hillsborough Street fare, this place shouldn’t be missed if you enjoy Southeast Asian Cuisine.

2316 Hillsborough Street

Sadlack’s Heroes

Being in business for over 30 years, Sadlack’s is without a doubt the oldest bastion of vegetarian-friendly fare downtown. It’s a sandwich joint that frequently features live music, which makes it a great place to hang out with friends on a weekend afternoon. The crowd is unlike any you’ll find in Raleigh. The chips are home made, the sandwiches prepared on great bread … but the food is only a small component of the charm of Sadlack’s. Stop by for lunch some time and experience it for yourself.

2116 Hillsborough Street

Porter’s City Tavern

Carrying on amidst the rubble

Although they’ve had delicious vegetarian options for a long time, they just recently carved out a new menu highlighting the selections. The Blue Cheese Macaroni is worth the trip.

2412 Hillsborough Street

Moonlight Pizza

Moonlight has been my longest running love affair with pizza here in Raleigh, but until now received no love on this blog. In addition to a wide variety of pastas and salads (and a fantastic gnocchi), they feature a diverse array of toppings. Great drink specials too.

615 West Morgan Street

Worth a mention

• Mitch’s Tavern – I’ve heard from more than one source that they have the best vegetarian chili in town.
• The Roast Grill – Yes, the place that serves only hot dogs, baklava, and pound cake. They have a “Ruth Dog”, named after a vegetarian friend of the family. It consists of a hot dog bun with relish, mustard, and onions.
• Spize Cafe – I dined here for the first time recently, and thrilled they decided to be open for dinner hours.
• Village Kabob – This new Afghan restaurant has a delicious vegetarian menu with several items at great prices. I’ve only recently made it here for the first time, but it was absolutely delicious and a welcome new ethnic dining addition.

Some Love for Hillsborough Street

You may have noticed that many of restaurants listed here are located on Hillsborough Street. Although it is mostly coincidence, I did take extra care to include the ones there. Due to the ongoing construction work, business is hurting for these restaurateurs. They need your support. Rush hour delays and parking are issues–but what is a few extra minutes commute time when you can enjoy great food?

By No Means Comprehensive

This list is just some of my favorite places, and certainly doesn’t include all options. What’s your favorite restaurant to enjoy a meal sans meat? I’ll add more suggestions here and maintain this page as an index of veggie-friendly restaurants.