07.13.2023

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Today’s Forecast

51º | Cloudy | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 5:17 p.m.

A new coffee shop is taking flight in City Market

Blackbird Books & Coffee: taking flight in City Market

The owners of Blackbird Books & Coffee in front of their new shop.

Say “hi” to these friendly faces in person at the grand opening Friday, July 21. | Photo by RALtoday

There’s a new cozy shop nestled in downtown’s Historic City Market: Meet Blackbird Books & Coffee. Sisters-in-law Hannah and Bre Brunswick are hosting their grand opening Friday, July 21 for the shop featuring new books, specialty coffee, and events and workshops.

As business owners and entrepreneurs, it made sense for the duo to team up for this new endeavor. Bre is an English major and Hannah used to run a coffee shop, making for the perfect pair.

We sat down with the duo to chat about their vision for Blackbird, what events the shop plans on hosting, and they spilled the ~~tea~~ coffee on their favorite books.

Who sparked the idea to open Blackbird Books & Coffee?

Bre: We were talking about owning our own businesses and how hard it is to do it on your own. And we were like, ‘Man, it would be the dream to own a bookstore.’ And then we looked at each other and I said, ‘I’m serious.’ And Hannah said, ‘No, I’m serious!’ I couldn’t have done it by myself. We have two different skill sets and can combine them like a partnership should be.

Blackbird Books & Coffee owners in their shop. — Hannah and Bre at their soft opening.
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Photo by Blackbird Books & Coffee

What is the vision for Blackbird?

Bre: We want to be a creative community hub. So yes, it’s a bookstore and we have coffee, but our heart is really with events and supporting other makers. We aren’t necessarily an event space, but we want it to be synonymous with the coffee and books part.

Hannah: It’s important for us to be a safe space for people. We envision people coming here, no matter where they’re at in their lives or what they’re going through, and they can express themselves however they want to, find themselves in books, and be able to sit down and just feel comfortable.

Bre: We’re really intentional about the books we’re carrying. We’re carrying a lot of female, local, BIPOC, indigenous, and Queer authors.

Bonus: Are you a local maker? Fill out a vendor application for the possibility to have your handmade products sold at Blackbird.

Click the link below to find out Bre + Hannah’s favorite books, their go-to spots in Raleigh, and events to expect at Blackbird.

Here's what's brewing

Events

Thursday, July 13

Embrace Your Queen — Barbie Dance Party & Music Video | Thursday, July 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Dorothea Dix Park, 1030 Richardson Dr., Raleigh | $33 | Dance the night away during this alcohol-free event featuring Umbrella Dry Bar mocktails, accessories by Pinup Studio, and the chance to be in a music video.
The Petty Breakers | Thursday, July 13 | 8 p.m. | Lincoln Theatre, 126 E. Cabarrus St., Raleigh | $20-$30 | Enjoy the world’s greatest tribute to Tom Petty.
The Great Reset | Thursday, July 13 | 10 p.m. | Tin Roof, 300 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Free | Listen to this cover band rock the stage.

Friday, July 14

WWE SmackDown | Friday, July 14 | 7:45 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $20-$80 | Watch these WWE superstars show off their moves in the ring.
“Summer at the Station” — Family Movie Night | Friday, July 14 | 6-10:30 p.m. | Raleigh Union Station, 510 W. Martin St., Raleigh | Free | “Coco” will be playing under the stars, and guests can have their pick from food trucks and ice cream, market vendors, and a bar with mocktails and cocktails.
Oak & Smoke Bourbon Tasting and Cigar Event | Friday, July 14 | 7-10:30 p.m. | The Artist Lounge Raleigh, 1011 S. Person St., Raleigh | $45 | Indulge in exceptional bourbons paired with hand-rolled cigars.

Saturday, July 15

Yoga and Mimosas | Saturday, July 15, Saturday, Aug. 12 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Whitaker & Atlantic, 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Rd., Ste. 111, Raleigh | $20 | Enjoy a vinyasa flow followed by a complimentary mimosa after class.
Emo Nite | Saturday, July 15 | 9 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr., Raleigh | $19-$56 | Rock out to your favorite emo jams; for ages 18+.
Community Heroes Night | Saturday, July 15 | 7-9 p.m. | WakeMed Soccer Park, 101 Soccer Park Dr., Cary | $10-$50 | Join North Carolina FC for Community Heroes Night and a prematch flyover, honoring those in the community who keep us safe, as NCFC takes on Forward Madison.*

Happy Thursday — plan your weekend

Click here to have your event featured.

Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina

Shop

The best time to save big at North Hills starts today

Mark your calendars for North Hills’ annual Summer Sidewalk Sale. | Photo by RALtoday

It’s back. Shop ‘til you drop at North Hills’ annual Summer Sidewalk Sale, kicking off today and continuing through Sunday, July 16. Clear your schedules because stores will be offering up to 75% off designer brands and more all weekend.

Why not make a day of it? Our recs: Jubala Coffee for caffeine, Happy + Hale for lunch, and Giorgio Pizza Bar for dinner (and post-shopping wine).

Bonus: Enter to win a $500 North Hills shopping spree on Instagram.

See you on the sidewalks

News Notes

Opening

Giorgios Hospitality Group’s newest Greek and Mediterranean restaurant Nikos, is opening its doors Wednesday, July 19 in Durham’s Brightleaf Square. Nikos, previously Nikos Greek Taverna, will offer authentic Greek dishes like dolmades and octopus carpaccio. Restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias currently owns three Greek-inspired eateries, including Nikos.

Community

On Tuesday, the City of Raleigh and Downtown Raleigh Alliance released plans to revitalize downtown, specifically the Fayetteville Street district. The project has a $250,000 budget funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and is being designed with Interface Studio. (Axios Raleigh)

Travel

Bon voyage. Air France will launch at Raleigh-Durham International Airport with direct flights to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in October. The flight will take off every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on a Boeing 787. While you plan your trip, check out our airport guide.

Announced

The Canes released their theme night schedule yesterday. Opening night at PNC is Wednesday, Oct. 11 against the Ottawa Senators and Hockey Fights Cancer Night will follow on Wednesday, Nov. 15 versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Browse the schedule.

Sports

The Durham Bulls are hosting the Savannah Bananas — a dancing exhibition baseball team — this Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15. While both games are sold out, you can join the ticket waitlist or browse the few tickets left on StubHub.

Try This

Join the inaugural Runologie Track Club 5K this Saturday, July 15 benefiting the Saint Augustine’s University track and field program, as well as Olympic medalist Bershawn Jackson’s Run U Xpress youth program. The run will take place at George Williams Athletic Complex. Help support the Raleigh running community and register to run.

Wellness

What’s the difference between a massage and a deep tissue massage? See the answer (and know that the video just might make you want to book your own relaxation session).*

Cause

Today only, Wolfspeed to tripling donations to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina’s Stop Summer Hunger initiative. Help the Food Bank provide 10 million meals for kids and families by the end of July and donate today to make your gift go three times as far.*

Finance

Everyday investors profit from a $45 million Banksy collection (yes, the Banksy) thanks to Masterworks, who last sold one of the artist’s works at a 32% net gain. Masterworks has completed 13 exits (all profitable), with three recent sales delivering net annualized returns of 17.8%, 21.5%, and 35%. RALtoday readers can skip the waitlist to join.†*

Shop

Parking your car on sunny streets while running errands around town? This No. 1 bestselling sunshade keeps your car’s interior cool and minimizes rays.*

† See important Masterworks disclosures.

Seasonal

🌻 It’s happening...

Dix Park’s Sunflower Field is almost in full bloom

This bloomed sunflower was spotted on Monday at Dix Park. | Gif by RALtoday

In May, between 80,000 and 100,000 seeds of the Black Oil Sunflower Hybrid variety were planted at Dix Park’s five-acre field. Last week, the Sunflower Field was readying its buds, and the park expects an early July bloom.

The City of Raleigh partnership between Raleigh Water and Raleigh Parks offers locals a golden field to romp in and serves as a pollinator habitat for bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. More than 100,000 people visit the sunflower patch per year from across Raleigh + NC.

Peak bloom should be here really soon and last around two weeks. The Sunflower Field is located off of Hunt Drive in Dix Park and is open seven days a week, from dawn till dusk. Remember: Be respectful of the sunny blooms by refraining from picking or cutting the flowers, and don’t eat the sunflower seeds.

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The Wrap

Cat George in a black turtleneck sweater

Today’s edition by:
Cat

From the editor:

Yesterday, our team met at Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard for a slice (or two). Then we moved to Brew Coffee Bar to cowork and grab a midday caffeine boost. Where should we go for our next team lunch? Help us plan.

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