Hunky Dory, a record shop and craft beer bar, expands to downtown Cary

Why it matters: Cary has seen tremendous growth in the past year, with the opening of a new downtown park, the addition of several new restaurants and buildings — with more still to open next year.

• "Years ago, I don't think I would have ever considered" opening a store in downtown Cary, Bell told Axios. "But it's definitely hopping" now.

Details: Hunky Dory will open in an 800-square-foot space in a shopping development also home to Di Fara Pizza Tavern and Taipei 101.

• It will sell new and used records and will keep rotating taps of craft beers — though the shop might open to customers before its alcohol license is approved.
• Bell, a former journalist and lover of hunting for rare records, opened Hunky Dory in Durham in 2010, and expanded to Raleigh in 2020.

Context: The Cary opening comes amid some struggles at Hunky Dory's downtown Raleigh location.

• Bell said that Raleigh sales hit a low recently, when roads around the shop were closed for the construction of an apartment building and hotel from Hoffman & Associates.
• Other nearby retailers have also felt the slump, including Bad Daddy's and Mon Macaron, the News & Observer reported in October.
• Bell said he hopes to be able to keep the Raleigh location open long enough to benefit from the apartments when tenants move in.