Clyde Cooper’s barbecue is imbued with history. | Joe Bruno
You’ve likely heard a Raleighite complain about the city changing — we’ve been doing it since 1792.
Today, we’re stepping into the time machine. Let’s dial it back by decade and explore Raleigh establishments where time stands still.
1930s
The Mecca Restaurant | 1930
This eatery just celebrated its 85th birthday, and because of its proximity to the NC Legislature, it’s a mainstay for politicians and legislators. The restaurant originally opened at the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett streets and moved to its current spot on Martin Street in 1937. Pro tip: The weekday lunch specials include an entree, two sides, and a drink for $12.
Clyde Cooper’s BBQ | 1938
This eastern-meets-Lexington style ‘cue spot has been known for tasty bites for nearly 80 years and is moving to a new location just a few minutes away by the end of 2025. Don’t forget to grab a bag of pork skins to go with your meal.
Healing Art Circle with Noni | 6-8 p.m. | Junction West | Free | Bring an open heart + mind to this well-being session — no supplies needed.
Trivia Tuesdays | 7 p.m.-12 a.m. | Flying Saucer Draught Emporium | Free | Test your knowledge and tap into your competitive edge with trivia + $200 worth of prizes.
Wednesday, June 25
Pub Picks with Macmillan Publishers | 7-8 p.m. | Quail Ridge Books | $12 | Get book recommendations, participate in giveaways, and get a $10 voucher for select books.
Raleigh Brewing Run/Walk Club | 6:30-8 p.m. | Raleigh Brewing Company | Free | Run or walk three or four miles and grab a beer after.
Thursday, June 26
Sunset Social | 4-8 p.m. | The Bend Bar | Free | Shop local artisans and grab a beer from this local fave.
Widow Jane Cocktail Class | 7-10 p.m. | Wolfe & Porter | $55 | Concoct a Sazerac with Widow Jane whiskeys + bourbons.
Two ways to enjoy Raleigh’s newest greenway-connected community
Presented by Tri Pointe Homes
Fun fact: Tri Pointe Homes won “HBA Builder of the Year” in 2024. | Photos courtesy Tri Pointe Homes
Elm Park is selling quickly — and it’s easy to see why.
Sitting steps from the Greenway, this new northwest Raleigh neighborhood from Tri Pointe Homes offers two ways to enjoy high-end designs and contemporary, open-concept living.
🏡 Choose based on your lifestyle
Move-in-ready: Sparkling new homes with curated finishes
Customizable: Collaborate with Tri Pointe’s designers at their luxe studio to tailor your space
This week is going to be hot as much of the country experiences a heat wave. With highs inching toward or exceeding 100, all Wake County libraries, regional centers, and human services centers are open as cooling stations through Wednesday. The county also recommends staying indoors during peak temps. (CBS 17)
Open
Cup A Joe’s Mission Valley location is reopening today through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab a drink from their limited menu before the spot officially reopens later this summer. Did you know? Comedian Patton Oswalt repped the local fave in season 6 of “Seinfeld.”
Theater
Theatre Raleigh’s summer production of “Waitress” will star Broadway performers Alyssa Fox and Billy Harrigan Tighe with local theater legend Ira David Wood III taking the stage, too. Plus, this show wouldn’t be complete without Slice Pie Company providing pies on and off stage with minis for purchase at every performance.
Pets
Wake County has issued a rabies notice after a raccoon tested positive for rabies after biting a dog in North Raleigh. If you or your pet have encountered a raccoon recently, call the Wake County Communicable Disease line at 919-250-4462, and make sure your pet is vaccinated according to NC law.
Coming Soon
Don’t fret — the Hopscotch Music Fest lineup is coming soon. According to an email from the festival, fans can download the app to get the lineup an hour before everyone else, but if you miss it, you’ll be able to catch it in RALtoday with some recommended acts.
Sports
In one of their first offseason moves, the Canes have signed left wing Eric Robinson to a four-year, $6.8 million contract extension ahead of free agency. Robinson scored 14 goals and 18 assists for the Canes in the 2024-2025 season, his first with Carolina. (The News & Observer)
Need your property to sell fast? Feature it here, in front of our 56,000+ highly engaged readers. Visit our self-service ad portal to get started and see your property in RALtoday in as little as two days.
Post of the Day
House of Art has found a new Raleigh home. | Screenshot by RALtoday
After severe damage from a fire in January, the House of Art team has announced it has found a new home in Raleigh. We’ll keep you posted on the details, but for now, we’re happy this unique bar + artistic community has found a new spot.
Your favorite bug banisher, to get you through the summer season unbitten:
🌿 These No. 1 best-selling bracelets keep mosquitos away just by wearing them around your wrist or ankle — they’re DEET-free, use essential oils, and fit both kids and adults.
🐜 If slicing summer watermelons brings all the ants to your house, try these best-selling ant bait stations, rated 4.6 stars and usually effective within 24 hours.
💡 For mosquito protection on your porch or patio, try this No. 1 best-selling electric bug zapper — just hang it, plug it in, and enjoy bug-free summer nights.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I went to Players Retreat to watch the NBA Finals — go Thunder! — and got their LGBTQ+ sandwich for Pride month. Naturally, it’s a souped-up BLT with guacamole and queso panela on multigrain bread, and 100% of the proceeds are donated to Equality NC.
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