Some say... cough ChatGPT cough... that Raleigh’s weather is unpredictable. | Photo by RALtoday
We set our sidesplitting sights on a good old fashioned, lighthearted comedy roast of Raleigh and took our humorous intent to ChatGPT, the online AI chatbot that uses natural language processors to generate text-based responses.
Here’s what it had to say — if you can handle it.
Can you roast Raleigh, NC?
Raleigh is that place where it’s always a little too quiet for a city, but just busy enough to make you wonder if there’s more going on — except, when you look around, it’s mostly parking lots and people who’ve never left their hometown.
This joint specializing in New Orleans cuisine is headed by Chef/Owner Sunny Gerhart.
Photo courtesy of St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar
How’s Raleigh’s traffic?
It’s like everyone forgets how to drive when it rains, and no matter what time, you’ll somehow get stuck behind a delivery truck on Western Boulevard.
OK, but our food scene isn’t all that bad.
Raleigh’s food scene is thriving, offering a mix of Southern comfort food, innovative cuisine, and international flavors. Downtown has spots like The Pit for BBQ, Cortez for seafood with Mexican influences, and St. Roch for oysters.
Galentine’s Cocktail Class & B-Roll | 6-8:30 p.m. | Killjoy | $45 | Grab your gal pals and head over to this interactive cocktail workshop at this eclectic bev lounge.
Artist Talk | 6:30-8 p.m. | CAM Raleigh | $10+ | Meet featured artists Lamar Whidbee + Delayna Robbins and get to know them along with more details of their works.
Adult Nights: Wild Love | 6:30-10 p.m. | NC Museum of Natural Sciences | $15+ | This 21+ Valentine’s Day event features interactive science stations, music, games, food, drinks, and more. Craft microscopic love notes, marvel at gemstones, and even meet live animal ambassadors.*
A new study by Hers ranked Raleigh as the No. 10 healthiest city in the US and the highest ranking southern city. Cities were ranked over various characteristics citing strong sleep, walkability, and mental health resources. Explore some of Raleigh’s most peaceful places. (The News & Observer)
Closed
Layered Croissanterie, a bakery located on North West Street, has closed and is transitioning into another location for Paul & Jack, a Wake Forest-based bakery + pastry shop. Stay tuned as more details are to come.
Coming Soon
Entrepreneur Jody Donaldson will open his first Alloy Personal Training studio, a Georgia-based fitness franchise, in Cary’s Alston Town Center in April 2025. Memberships range from $399 to $479 per month, with small group classes catering to adults over 40. (Triangle Business Journal)
Active
CycleBar closed its Raleigh and Cary locations on January 10. The Chapel Hill studio remains open, and a new location is planned for Durham. Looking for an alternative? Check out our list of 27 gyms in Raleigh. (Triangle Business Journal)
Concert
British singer Beabadoobee will perform at the Red Hat Amphitheater on Monday, June 16 — you might know her from “Glue Song” and “Take a Bite.” The tour will feature special guests and the presale begins today at 12 p.m.
Community
Raleigh City Council is considering changes to its public comment sessions, including restricting visual media, shortening sessions, and starting earlier. Council members aim to improve efficiency, clarify the purpose of the sessions, and address concerns over graphic content and meeting duration, while still exceeding state law requirements. (INDY Week)
Health
NC ranks third in the US for avian flu cases, with over 3.3 million birds affected in the past month. The outbreak, primarily in commercial egg-laying operations, is contributing to egg shortages and price increases. State officials are working to contain the spread. (Axios Raleigh)
Shop
If your favorite part of Super Bowl Sunday is watching the commercials, we’ve got just the thing for you: commercial bingo cards. Bonus: This is the perfect prize for the winner.*
Wellness
Discover unparalleled speech clarity with this advanced, state-of-the-art hearing aid. Featuring a sleek, discreet German design, it ensures crystal-clear speech + sound with minimal background noise. Try the 45-day, no-risk trial.*
Category
History
🌆 Remembering Black Main Street
Hamlin Drugs operated for 100+ years. | Photo by RALtoday
Did you know? During the 1920s, racial segregation pushed local Black entrepreneurs + professionals to move their businessesto East Hargett Street. The stretch between Fayetteville Street and Moore Square developed as a commercial district that became known as Raleigh’s “Black Main Street.” A handful of the original buildings still remain, including one with a newly opened biz.
The Delany-Evans Building, was founded in 1926 by Dr. Lemuel Delany + Dr. George Evans. In 1935,Mollie Huston Lee, the first African American librarian in Wake County, established the Richard B. Harrison Library in the same building, making it Raleigh’s first public library to serve Black people.
Across the street was once Hamlin Drug Store, the oldest Black-owned pharmacy in NC and the oldest drug store in Raleigh. It was founded by James Hamlin in 1904 as People’s Drug Store before it relocated to East Hargett Street in 1921. It closed in 2017, shortly after its 100-year anniversary.
Valentine’s Day is less than 10 days away, and if you haven’t already started planning, now is the time. We have 40 date night ideas to get you on the right path and make the best of your romantic holiday.
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