The Downtown Raleigh Alliance found that since the start of the year, nearly 30 small businesses owners are taking the plunge, opening doors to customers in a time of transition.
[Ads /]
Anthony Piazza already owns five restaurants in Johnston County and is now embarking upon a project in the City of Oaks. His newest location can be found on the ground level of the AC Hotel on Glenwood South.
Piazza feels the expansion is a strong investment.
Hippo Wines is another spot that recently came on the scene. It's located inside Raleigh's Sip and Stroll District, which is a pilot program the city's expanding.
"Even on Memorial Day when we expected everybody to be gone for the weekend, we had a pretty tremendous amount of foot traffic," said Hippo Wine Owner Sorena Dadgar.
The foot traffic is changing.
[Ads /]
New data shows opposing forces at play in downtown Raleigh
Cellphone location data analyzed by ABC11 shows the resurgence peaked at 64 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2021, but now it's about half.
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance recognizes there's a shift. It's down on the weekdays because of hybrid schedules, but up on the weekends.
"Food and beverage sales are above what they were pre-pandemic," said Will Gaskins.
Piazza is ready to tap into those sales and hoping to open his restaurant in the fall.
[Ads /]
"I'm doing a lot of work myself, coming in here and pushing equipment in and hustle myself," he said.
SEE ALSO | Rapid growth in Raleigh raises risk of budget shortfall, reduced emergency response times, city report warns
Rapid growth in Raleigh raises concerns in City Hall
SEE ALSO | 'It's definitely working.' Business owners in downtown Cary embrace new growth
Business owners embrace new growth in downtown Cary