Order a handmade statement hat from this Raleigh biz. | Photo courtesy of Lifted Millinery
As we shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurial spirit for Small Business Week, Raleigh stands out as a thriving hub for small service-based businesses. From intimate picnic experiences to home repair experts and lifestyle concierges, these enterprises form the backbone of our economy and community.
Service-based
HER Body PT | This mobile physical therapy service specializes in women’s health and pelvic floor physical therapy — plus, your first consultation is free.
Pickett Concierge | Give yourself additional free time with this concierge service tailored to your needs for tasks like errands, home + lifestyle management, and events.
Online-based
Joyous Bakes | Get fresh-baked goods made to order, including the cake flights featuring luscious lemon, sweet strawberry, and cheery cherry.
Lifted Millinery | Personalize your wardrobe with accessories like handmade headwear, including hats, headbands, and historic tartans.
Other local businesses
Fall Back Vintage Market | Find vintage pieces personally curated by owners Laura and Lori at pop-up events. Shop in person on Sunday, May 11, at R&D Brewing.
Plant-lover’s Tour: Follow Your Nose | 9-10 a.m. | JC Raulston Arboretum | $5 | Take a guided tour through this garden’s most fragrant flowers and take notes for your own yard.
LINKIN PARK: From Zero World Tour | 4 p.m. | Lenovo Center | $62+ | Rock out with this band, and “In The End,” you’ll have a good time.
Around the Taverna Table Cooking Class | 6-8:30 p.m. | Home for Entertaining, Cary | $99 | Treat your palate to Greek cuisine while learning how to make watermelon salad, orzo pasta, and baklava.
Wednesday, May 7
Cupcake Piping 101 | 2:30-3:30 p.m. | North Regional Library | Free | Learn three different piping techniques for decorating cupcakes.
Speed Dating: Ages 24-36 | 8-10 p.m. | Flying Saucer Draught Emporium | $42 | Mix, mingle, and meet a special someone in a relaxed setting.
Thursday, May 8
Butterfly Walk | 10-11:30 a.m. | Prairie Ridge | Free | Take a walk accompanied by butterflies while learning about their behavior and species.
Midtown Beach Music | 6-9 p.m. | 4321 Lassiter at North Hills Ave | $6 | Jam out to vibey music at North Hills; this week: The Soul Psychedelique Orchestra.
Friday, May 9
Artisphere presented by Prisma Health | Friday, May 9-Sunday, May 11 | Hours vary | Main Street, Greenville, SC | Free | Voted one of the top five arts festivals in the country by USA TODAY’s 10Best, Artisphere is bringing 140 makers, live music, tasty eats, and more to Greenville, SC.*
Spartanburg is a community of artists, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, policymakers, and more. | Photo by Sam Dean
Imagine a place where your career thrives and your weekends are filled with live music, local boutiques, and scenic trails. We’ve found just the place. Enter: Spartanburg, South Carolina, where small-town charm meets big-time opportunities.
Retail shop and event studio A Lil’ R & R opened in North Hills’ Makers Alley near Dose Yoga on Saturday with a grand opening pawty. Expect unique knick-knacks for you and your pup like journals, jewelry, clothing, and more — plus, if you’re a local entrepreneur seeking retail placement, apply to be a consignor.
Community
Berkeley the Squirrel, carved by Corey Landcaster, will retire after five years in Nash Square. Named after the Berkeley Cafe, the Willow Oak Berkeley was carved from was 90 ft tall and was thought to be about 120 years old.
Travel
Avelo Airlines has canceled its planned RDU flight to Nassau, Bahamas, due to low demand just weeks before launch. While routes to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic remain, the move highlights broader concerns over declining leisure travel demand. (Triangle Business Journal)
Concert
Fresh off “Saturday Night Live” and a Lovin’ Life Music Fest stop in Charlotte, Benson Boone has announced his American Heart arena tour, hitting the Lenovo Center on Sept. 7. The tour follows his upcoming album release in June. Presales begin tomorrow, May 7, with general ticket sales opening Friday, May 9.
Edu
Kevin Howell is officially NC State’s new chancellor, returning to lead his alma mater. He praised outgoing Chancellor Randy Woodson’s 15-year legacy and emphasized listening, learning, and collaboration as he guides the university forward.
Biz
Saint Augustine’s University is seeking $70 million in financing and exploring land development opportunities on 70% of its campus to stabilize operations and attract long-term investment partners. A potential deal with Florida-based development firm 50 Plus 1 Sports fell through, and the university will resume its search for new development and investment partners. (Triangle Business Journal)
Legacy
John Brantley III, who led RDU from 1982 to 2011, died Friday, May 2 at age 82. Brantley oversaw RDU’s transformation from a small regional facility into a major international hub, impacting aviation and the community. (Triangle Business Journal)
Featured Deal
To celebrate Small Business Week, we’re offering small business owners 20% off purchases in our Self-Service Ad Portal. Use the discount code SMALLBIZ at checkout through Sunday, May 11.
Announced
Congratulations to Sarah B.: The official winner of our Apple of Our Eye Giveaway with Tri Pointe Homes. Enjoy your Apple tech haul — and thanks to everyone who entered to celebrate the Tredenham community.‡*
Travel
Manifest your best summer yet: Score this rare ~$1,000 travel card bonus and plan your dream beach vacation in a hydrangea-enveloped coastal mansion worthy of a cameo in “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” (Swoons.)*
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Category
Opening
New eats + libations in Gateway Plaza
The new eatery is right beside Fiction Kitchen. | Photo by John Hansen Photography
A new flavor-forward eatery and bar is coming to Gateway Plaza. Mala Pata, a masa-centric Latin American restaurant, and its sister spot, Peyote, will officially open on Wednesday, May 14. The restaurant will be led by Angela Salamanca, Marshall Davis, Eric Montagne, and executive chef Zack Gragg.
You may know Salamanca from her other local restaurants like Centro on South Wilmington Street and Ex Voto in Durham’s Liberty Warehouse district.
Mala Pata, the latest addition to Salamanca’s portfolio, will craft dishes rooted in tradition with a twist, including tuna tartacos, pozole verde, and whole grilled fish with handmade tortillas.
Peyote will serve mezcal-driven cocktails from a cozy bar seating up to seven. Mala Pata + Peyote is located beside Fiction Kitchen at 2431 Crabtree Blvd., Ste. 102. Visit the two new hangouts starting Wednesday, May 14.
The Buy
Support small businesses from across the globe with one-of-a-kind products from Etsy. We love this customizable burger stamp for leveling up summer grill outs. Bonus: The artisan seller also offers a custom ice stamp so you can elevate upcoming cocktail nights.
This eatery welcomes walk-ins and reservations. | Photo by RALtoday
I visited Transfer Food Co. this weekend with a friend to try Yatai, a sushi + taco bar across from Benchwarmers Bagels. To my surprise, the unlikely pairing works amazingly. The chicken karaage buns and holy crab sushi roll were delicious — I recommend it when you visit.
‡This offering is made pursuant to Regulation A Round and involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. The Company valuation is set by RAD Intel. Please review all offering materials before making an investment decision.
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