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The Green Monkey’s big move 🍻

The Green Monkey’s big move
The exterior of the Raleigh Sandwich Shop on South Wilmington Street.
215 S. Wilmington St. has been vacant since 1989. | Photo via NC Office of Archives and History
After 10 years on Hillsborough Street, The Green Monkey is moving to downtown Raleigh this spring. We caught up with owners Rusty Sutton and Drew Temple to learn more.

The Green Monkey is moving because it’s outgrowing its space, the duo told RALtoday. And, the rent and nearby parking costs have increased.

The new space will still feel like The Green Monkey. However: “It’s going to be prettier,” Rusty said. “With more room.”

The neighborhood bar and gift shop’s new spot at 215 S. Wilmington St. dates back to the 1880s, when the property was listed as a grocery. Since then, the building has been a saloon, multiple restaurants, and a physician’s office. It most recently housed Raleigh Sandwich Shop, which closed in 1989. The building is included in the Moore Square Historic District.

“When we started digging into the history of the building, we learned that the Raleigh Sandwich Shop was one of the first restaurants [in Raleigh] that allowed Black people and white people in the same space,” Rusty said. “That is historic, and that’s what we’re all about — we want a place for everybody to feel safe and be who they are without judgment or feeling out of place.”

Inside The Green Monkey's new location.

Inside The Green Monkey’s new location.

Photo by Rusty Sutton


Rusty and Drew plan to create a timeline of the building’s history and display it on the wall. Check out their research here.

When visitors walk into The Green Monkey’s new location, they’ll be greeted by a gift shop filled with quirky finds. Beyond the souvenirs will be a newly designed bar, bottle shop, and working gas fireplace with a cozy sitting area.

Downstairs will feature another bar (repurposed from The Green Monkey’s original bar), the Kayla LaShay Dressing Room (a storage area and office space), a larger production space, and plenty of room for events. Outside, there will be a private courtyard with a deck. Bonus: There’s lots of nearby parking.
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    Thursday, Feb. 16
    Friday, Feb. 17
    • Downtown Raleigh Home Show | Friday, Feb. 17-Sunday, Feb. 19 | Times vary | Raleigh Convention Center, 500 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh | $12 | Meet local home improvement experts for guidance on your next remodeling or landscape project.
    • Carolina Hurricanes Fan Fest | Friday, Feb. 17 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m. | Downtown Raleigh, Fayetteville St. | Free | Meet Canes alumni, take a picture with The Stanley Cup, play street hockey, ride the Ferris Wheel, and enjoy live music and entertainment all day.
    Saturday, Feb. 18
    • Chocolate & Wine Tasting | Saturday, Feb. 18 | 7-9 p.m. | Joy Worthy Co., 131 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh | $59 | Learn how to taste different cocoa profiles and match them with the perfect wine.
    Sunday, Feb. 19
    • Longleaf Anniversary Party | Sunday, Feb. 19 | 2-5 p.m. | The Long Leaf Hotel, 300 N. Dawson St., Raleigh | Celebrate the hotel’s third anniversary with an oyster roast and drink specials.

    We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
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    Weather
    • 76º | Mostly cloudy | 12% chance of rain ☁️
    Development
    • On Tuesday, designers presented updated plans to significantly renovate PNC Arena. Next, the Centennial Authority and other arena staff will determine the cost of the possible design concepts and present them to the Authority’s board of directors. The board will choose which renovations will happen. We’ll keep you posted.
    Watch
    • The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is hosting a Stadium Series viewing party this Saturday, Feb. 18 in Moore Square. Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be food and drink vendors, music, and entertainment. The game between the Canes and Capitals will be shown on the big screen at 8 p.m. Pro tip: Bring chairs and blankets. 🏒
    Outdoors
    • Raleigh Parks has begun planting 1,000 urban street trees around the city as part of the Street Tree Equity Project. Oaks, maples, red buds, and other trees will be planted along downtown streets and sidewalks over the next three years. 🌳
    Travel
    • Breeze Airways makes its debut at RDU today, Feb. 16 — and it also announced new nonstop flights to three more destinations. The airline will fly twice a week between RDU and Los Angeles, Louisville, and Pittsburgh starting in May. ✈️ (The News & Observer)
    • Ready to plan springtime adventures? A ~4 hour drive from RAL, Greenville, SC is filled with natural beauty, outdoor activities + dining delicacies. Pro tip: Order a free Visitor’s Guide to start planning your trip, and check out VisitGreenvilleSC’s Instagram for itinerary inspo.*
    • How does Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and Going will notify you when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a $500+ flight to Italy). 🍝*
    Biz
    • Get Spiffy, a Durham-based mobile car service startup, completed a $30 million funding round. The money will be used to fuel the company’s expansion. Get Spiffy has grown by more than 90% in each of the past two years. 🚗 (The News & Observer)
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    • The U.S. News & World Report named Raleigh the hottest real estate market in the US with a Housing Market Index (HMI) of 71.7. The report cites that Raleigh’s strengths range from low unemployment to a relatively affordable monthly mortgage payment to income ratio.
    Real Estate
    • What can $350,000 buy you? At Flowers Plantation, residents of the 3000-acre master-planned community can live comfortably + beautifully in spacious townhomes and well-designed single family homes — all while enjoying a host of community perks at their fingertips (think: shopping, dining, schools, a YMCA, and miles of walking trails). 🏡 *
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    • Looking for a career refresh? Synergy Face + Body is hiring multiple positions at their Raleigh locations. On the list of desired qualities: Talented industry experts with a positive attitude and a desire to expand your skill set. Learn more + apply.*
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    Help plan a new bridge 🏗️

    Walkable Midtown is moving forward
    A conceptual image of the future multimodal I-440 bridge.
    A conceptual image of the future multimodal I-440 bridge. | Photo via City of Raleigh
    The City of Raleigh is planning to construct a multimodal bridge over the I-440 beltline — and you could help decide exactly where it goes.

    The bridge will have two lanes for cars with dedicated space for biking and walking. Check out the alignment and cross section options here.

    Attend the city’s open house today, February 16 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. to learn more about the bridge and weigh in on its design and location. Can’t make it? Take this survey by Tuesday, Feb. 28.
    MORE WALKABLE MIDTOWN UPDATES
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    THE WRAP

    Today’s issue was written by Anne.

    Editor’s pick: Tomorrow, I plan to explore the Canes Fan Fest and stop by Little Blue Bakehouse to try Bold Batch Creamery’s new flavor, Strawberry Lemonade King Cake. Can you tell I’m excited for the weekend?

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