Plus, office to affordable housing transformations.
 
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Today’s Forecast

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

🌆 Grants for downtown biz

Downtown Raleigh Alliance awards nearly $90,000 in grants to diverse businesses
The Hippo wine bar.
The Hippo is one of nine businesses awarded funding in 2023 by the DRA’s Storefront Upfit Grant program. | Photo provided by Downtown Raleigh Alliance
The Downtown Raleigh Alliance allotted $87,500 in funding to nine businesses owned by those who identify as minorities, women, LGBTQ+, veterans, or people with a disability as part of the 2023 Storefront Upfit Grant program.

The following storefronts received grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000:
“DRA is dedicated to fostering a thriving small business community in Downtown Raleigh,” said Will Gaskins, Vice President of Economic Development & Planning at Downtown Raleigh Alliance, in a press release. “These grants are a testament to our commitment to supporting local entrepreneurs and enhancing the economic vitality of the area.”

The next deadline for downtown grant applications is Feb. 1, 2024 — storefront business owners can learn more about eligibility + the application process online.
     
    Events
    Thursday, Dec. 21
    • 3rd Annual Not-So-Silent Night w/ Chelley & The Slay Bells | Thursday, Dec. 21 | 7-10 p.m. | The Long Leaf Hotel, 300 N. Dawson St., Raleigh | Free entry | This fun night out will feature seasonal bevs, holiday music, and festive vibes without a cover charge.
    • ‘The 1940’s Radio Hour’ | Thursday, Dec. 21-Sunday, Dec. 24 | Times vary | Theatre Raleigh, 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd., Raleigh | $32-$45 | This award-winning play includes music from the ‘40s and musical characters.
    • Craig Shoemaker | Thursday, Dec. 21-Saturday, Dec. 23 | Times vary | Raleigh Improv, 1224 Parkside Main St., Cary | $22-$72 | Laugh along with this stand-up comedian known for a variety of ‘90s TV shows and movies.
    Friday, Dec. 22
    • Oakwood24 Run/Walk 24 Hours to Support Recovery | Friday, Dec. 22-Saturday, Dec. 23 | 9 a.m. | Historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh | Donation-based | This 24-hour run benefits addiction recovery center Healing Transitions — register for six, 12, and 24-hour time slots or a new relay to help raise money for those facing addiction.
    • Designed for Joy Christmas Pop-up | Friday, Dec. 22-Sunday, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Designed For Joy, 517 W. Cabarrus St., Raleigh | Free | Pop in to this pop-up to shop handbags, charcuterie boards, and jewelry for a good cause.
    Saturday, Dec. 23
    • Blount Street Historic Homes Raleigh Walking Tour | Saturday, Dec. 23-Saturday, Dec. 30 | Times vary | Sidewalk outside of the Heck-Andrews House, 309 N. Blount St., Raleigh | Free | Explore the rich history and architectural beauty of the Blount Street neighborhood.
    More festive events
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    News Notes
    Closed
    Holiday
    • Save yourself the stress of holiday cooking with a special meal out on Christmas Eve + Day. Check out this list of restaurants open with dine-in and take-out options make your holiday easier. Bonus: Plenty of families flock to Chinese restaurants on Christmas Day — make note of the 14 open on the holiday. (The News & Observer)
    Seasonal
    • Help spruce up Wake County parks by donating your undecorated Christmas trees from Tuesday, Dec. 26 to Thursday, Dec. 28. Trees will be turned into mulch used to fortify area trails and can be dropped off at eight centers and parks in the county, including Green Hills County Park and Blue Jay Point County Park.
    Try This
    • Jazz up every third Tuesday with Oak City Music Collective’s International Jazz Open Jam at Neptunes Parlor. The first half of the year has been announced with local and international acts playing bossa, afro jazz, and plenty more.
    Ranked
    Today Is
    • The sun may set at 5:05 p.m. today, but good news is on the horizon... literally. Today is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It occurs when the North Pole is tilted the furthest from the sun, resulting in the shortest day of the year — which means the days will start getting longer.
    Finance
    • This cloud’s got a silver lining. Rising interest rates often give people the shivers, and understandably so. But higher rates actually hold a hidden upside for savvy savers. Read why experts think many households might benefit in 2024 when it comes to this double-edged economic approach.*
    Shop
    • ICYMI, Ambiente Modern Furniture is offering couch-sized discounts on a huge selection of high-quality modern furniture pieces. This treasure trove for the design-savvy shopper includes luxe sofas, sleek dining sets, recliners, dressers, and more. See what you can upgrade.*
    Seasonal
     
    Biz

    📈 From office to affordable housing

    Be the broker: Which vacant office spaces would you like to see become affordable housing?
    Skyline
    Raleigh’s former office spaces could be home to future affordable housing, thanks to a White House initiative. | Photo by Michael Robson via Visit Raleigh
    Have you noticed some of the empty office space around town? Raleigh office vacancies are at 21.8% as of October 2023, according to Cushman & Wakefield MarketBeat — up from last year’s rate of 17.5%. Compare those numbers to the national office vacancy rate, which was 17.8% as of September 2023. One possible use for vacant offices? Affordable housing.

    Recently, the White House released a new plan to convert commercial buildings into residential housing. We’re talking below-market loans, grants, and tax credits... all available to help take advantage of preexisting buildings to make more affordable housing.

    In fact, office to housing conversion talks are already underway in Raleigh. Researchers have identified multiple buildings suited for apartment conversion, according to Triangle Business Journal.

    Tell us which spaces you’d like to see remade into housing, and we may feature your picks in an upcoming newsletter.
    The Buy

    The Buy 12.21.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
    Goofy light up headbands or light up beanies to bring holiday cheer (and hilarity) to your seasonal gathering.
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    The Wrap
     
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    Today’s edition by:
    Allie
    From the editor
    I hope you’re all enjoying the winter solstice today. This is my last newsletter of 2023 before our winter break, and I am so thankful for RALtoday + our readers for welcoming me this year. I can’t wait for what’s in store for 2024.

    Do you have any Raleigh-related resolutions for 2024? Whether it’s getting physical at a locally owned fitness center or trying new foods and new restaurants, we want to hear it. Personally, I’m eyeing our yoga guide for a new flow.
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