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Answered: Closed Raleigh businesses you miss most

Raleigh has seen its fair share of restaurant closures and subsequent takeovers. Here are closed Raleigh businesses our readers still dream about + what’s happened to their spaces.

RAL-HumblePie-Sept23

Here’s to hoping for lots of pasta nights in Figulina’s reimagined space.

Photo by RALtoday

Over the years, many beloved Raleigh businesses have shuttered. We asked our readers which closed establishments you still think about, and you delivered with over 600 responses.

Plus, the seven places we are highlighting below aren’t gone forever. You can visit the spaces’ new tenants or grab a bite from the same chef down the street.

C. Grace, now Split, 407 Glenwood Ave. | 11 years | This Glenwood Avenue jazz bar opened in 2011 alongside Empress Room with craft cocktails and an inviting, cozy space. You can still enjoy this space as Split, a tequila lounge and live music burrow from the team at Halcyon.

Fat Daddy’s, now a Panera Bread, 6201 Glenwood Ave. | 29 years | Readers Monica D. and Jordan W. recall the community of this burger spot. Did you know? The same family who owned Fat Daddy’s operates 42nd Street Oyster Bar.

Garland, now Umbrella Dry Bar, 14 W. Martin St.| Nine years | Chef Cheetie Kumar headed this South Asian meets Southern eatery and was nominated for James Beard Awards in 2019 and 2022. Try Kumar’s eats at Ajja in Five Points or enjoy a zero-proof cocktail at Umbrella to remember this unique foodie space.

Humble Pie, soon to be Figulina, 317 S. Harrington St. | 33 years | This Warehouse District eatery served tapas-style eats until 2023. Find former head chef Joshua Young at Heirloom experimenting with Laotian, Taiwanese, and Japanese flavors. Now, Figulina and former Poole’s Diner Chef de Cuisine David Ellis are moving in.

Joule Coffee + Table, now St. Roch, 223 S. Wilmington St. | Three years | Chef Ashley Christensen brewed community at this cafe before financially backing St. Roch + former Joule chef Sunny Gerhart. When you visit, don’t miss $1.50 oysters from 5 to 6 p.m.

K&W Cafeteria at Village District, soon to be Oberlin Hotel, 511 Woodburn Rd. | 52 years | This nostalgic cafeteria shut its doors in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The space has since been torn down to make way for the Oberlin Hotel.

Poole’side Pies, joining Poole’s Diner, 428 S. McDowell St. | Four years | Neighbor Poole’s Diner is adopting the space, wood-fired oven, and pickle Caesar salad dish from this unique AC Restaurant pizza spot.

Did we miss your favorite? Tell us which biz you miss most.

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