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Peek into Fullsteam's new downtown Durham taproom

The brewery has been working on a return to downtown Durham after the original taproom's 2024 closure.

Food and Drink

Fullsteam Brewery plans to open its American Tobacco Campus taproom soon, likely in September. Why it matters: It&#x27;s been nearly two years since Fullsteam&#x27;s original taproom on the other side of downtown Durham <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="closed amid a dispute with the landlord" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/04/fullsteam-brewery-is-relocating-to-the-american-tobacco-campus" data-vars-content-id="8f0a9d88-4ae1-4e93-a185-e5bbf303a7b3" data-vars-headline="Peek into Fullsteam&#x27;s new downtown Durham taproom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/09/04/fullsteam-brewery-is-relocating-to-the-american-tobacco-campus" target="_self">closed amid a dispute with the landlord</a>.

These were the Triangle's highest-paid CEOs in 2025

Ari Bousbib, the head of Durham-based IQVIA, was once again the region's highest-paid CEO.

Business

Ari Bousbib of Durham-based clinical research company IQVIA remains the Triangle&#x27;s highest paid CEO, according to an Axios survey of financial filings. The big picture: A majority of the chief executive officers of the Triangle&#x27;s largest publicly traded companies saw their compensation increase last year, bringing in millions of dollars worth of salary, stock options and perks. <ul><li>That mirrored a nationwide trend, with the median compensation of S&amp;P 500 CEOs up 5.9% last year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to Equilar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.equilar.com/reports/127-equilar-associated-press-ceo-pay-study-2026.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="a0beb759-627d-4300-9f58-b4caf018b846" data-vars-headline="These were the Triangle&#x27;s highest-paid CEOs in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.equilar.com/reports/127-equilar-associated-press-ceo-pay-study-2026.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">according to Equilar</a>.</li></ul>

Raleigh leaders address scrutiny over downtown death

The death of a Black man prompted questions amid the South's history of racist lynchings.

News

Raleigh leaders held a press conference Monday to address skepticism that police too quickly labeled a weekend death downtown a suicide.Driving the news: Saturday afternoon, a 32-year-old man&#x27;s body was found in a parking lot behind businesses across from Nash Square, according to police.

15 things to do in the Triangle this summer weekend

Catch baseball, live music, festivals, forest bathing and more across the Triangle this weekend.

Things to Do

Summer isn&#x27;t over yet. <ul><li>Here are some weekend activities worth checking out.</li></ul>

A historic cottage in Dix Park will become a bar and cafe this week

Flowers Cottage will offer coffee, snacks and alcoholic beverages for park goers.

Dix Park&#x27;s newest amenity — a cottage that features a bar and a cafe — will open to the public this week. Why it matters: The historic Flowers Cottage renovation gives Raleigh residents a new place to gather, eat and drink near the park&#x27;s sunflower field and downtown skyline views.

A Parisian-style cafe is coming to The Exchange in midtown Raleigh

Cafe Royale is designed to offer something for patrons from 8am to midnight.

Patrick Shanahan&#x27;s takeover of The Exchange Raleigh development continues, as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="artist-turned-entrepreneur" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/21/local-limelight-raleigh-artist-and-nightlife-curator-patrick-shanahan" data-vars-content-id="31f88390-d148-43d8-84a6-1fb1c805c3c8" data-vars-headline="A Parisian-style cafe is coming to The Exchange in midtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/21/local-limelight-raleigh-artist-and-nightlife-curator-patrick-shanahan" target="_self">artist-turned-entrepreneur</a> prepares a new all-day cafe there. Why it matters: Shanahan, who has helped open the restaurant <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Peregrine" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/01/new-restaurant-peregrine-wants-to-make-dishes-raleighs-never-had-before" data-vars-content-id="31f88390-d148-43d8-84a6-1fb1c805c3c8" data-vars-headline="A Parisian-style cafe is coming to The Exchange in midtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/04/01/new-restaurant-peregrine-wants-to-make-dishes-raleighs-never-had-before" target="_self">Peregrine</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Capulet Cocktail Club" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/12/watts-ward-co-owner-to-open-new-cocktail-bar" data-vars-content-id="31f88390-d148-43d8-84a6-1fb1c805c3c8" data-vars-headline="A Parisian-style cafe is coming to The Exchange in midtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/12/watts-ward-co-owner-to-open-new-cocktail-bar" target="_self">Capulet Cocktail Club</a> at The Exchange in midtown Raleigh, plans to open <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cafe Royale" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/caferoyaleraleigh/" data-vars-content-id="31f88390-d148-43d8-84a6-1fb1c805c3c8" data-vars-headline="A Parisian-style cafe is coming to The Exchange in midtown Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/caferoyaleraleigh/" target="_blank">Cafe Royale</a> there next month.

After life as a pop-up, Left Hook Coffee opens in new downtown Raleigh spot

The Left Hook has earned a following after operating out of a series of temporary spaces.

After years of operating out of temporary spaces and pop-up locations, the popular coffee roaster <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Left Hook Coffee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thelefthookcoffee.com/about" data-vars-content-id="45503440-8fb4-49de-81fc-c8af7fd699cc" data-vars-headline="After life as a pop-up, Left Hook Coffee opens in new downtown Raleigh spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thelefthookcoffee.com/about" target="_blank">The Left Hook Coffee</a> is now open in a permanent spot on East Hargett Street in downtown Raleigh. Why it matters: The Left Hook&#x27;s founder Kristin Kulik has bounced around Raleigh since moving to the area from Florida, earning a following by first slinging coffee at Rebus Works and then at The Left Hook&#x27;s first spot <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="inside of Gussie&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/01/16/a-raleigh-favorite-s-future" data-vars-content-id="45503440-8fb4-49de-81fc-c8af7fd699cc" data-vars-headline="After life as a pop-up, Left Hook Coffee opens in new downtown Raleigh spot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/01/16/a-raleigh-favorite-s-future" target="_self">inside of Gussie&#x27;s</a> on Morgan Street in 2024.

Punch Bowl Social submits plans for Raleigh Iron Works location

Jaguar Bolera closed its "eatertainment" venue at Raleigh Iron Works earlier this year.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Punch Bowl Social" data-vars-click-url="https://punchbowlsocial.com/" data-vars-content-id="2f789930-2dfb-4536-91d6-56ce1b941dee" data-vars-headline="Punch Bowl Social submits plans for Raleigh Iron Works location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://punchbowlsocial.com/" target="_blank">Punch Bowl Social</a>, a national entertainment-and-food company, has submitted permits to take over the former <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jaguar Bolera space" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/15/jaguar-bolera-ready-to-open-in-raleigh-iron-works-with-a-top-chef-led-menu" data-vars-content-id="2f789930-2dfb-4536-91d6-56ce1b941dee" data-vars-headline="Punch Bowl Social submits plans for Raleigh Iron Works location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2024/05/15/jaguar-bolera-ready-to-open-in-raleigh-iron-works-with-a-top-chef-led-menu" target="_self">Jaguar Bolera space</a> in the Raleigh Iron Works development. Why it matters: Jaguar Bolera — which offered food, drinks and games like duck-pin bowling — was one of the first tenants to open at Raleigh Iron Works, but the entertainment <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="venue flamed out and closed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article315077973.html" data-vars-content-id="2f789930-2dfb-4536-91d6-56ce1b941dee" data-vars-headline="Punch Bowl Social submits plans for Raleigh Iron Works location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/living/food-drink/article315077973.html" target="_blank">venue flamed out and closed</a> its 23,000-square-foot space nearly two years after opening.

Shipley Do-nuts, a Texas staple, eyes the Triangle for expansion

Shipley Do-Nuts plans to open in Raleigh in 2027.

Shipley Do-Nuts, a Texas chain known for its doughnuts and kolaches, is eyeing the Triangle for new locations. Why it matters: Texas-style kolaches — a type of pastry roll often filled with sausage or other savory foods — are hard to come by in the Triangle and the arrival of Shipley will give Texas transplants a taste of home.<ul><li>Shipley&#x27;s doughnuts are popular as well and have fueled the company into more than 400 locations across the country. Its first North Carolina location opened in Charlotte in 2024. </li></ul>

Important nutritional research is being piloted through North Carolina's sewers

Researchers from Duke and UNC have been tracking diet habits through wastewater.

Environment

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolina public officials plumbed the sewers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="looking for signs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/respiratory-diseases/dashboard/wastewater-testing" data-vars-content-id="50dffb7a-378d-416d-a559-230fd32616b3" data-vars-headline="Important nutritional research is being piloted through North Carolina&#x27;s sewers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dph.ncdhhs.gov/programs/epidemiology/communicable-disease/respiratory-diseases/dashboard/wastewater-testing" target="_blank">looking for signs</a> of the virus&#x27; prevalence was in the state. <ul><li>Now, that same infrastructure is being tested as a way to track the diets of entire cities and neighborhoods.</li></ul>Why it matters: The tracking method —  which captures food DNA left behind in sewage — could become an important tool for studying the nutritional health of a community or determine food access disparities by neighborhoods.

An all-star cooking collab comes to Raleigh

Ricky Moore, of Saltbox Seafood Joint, will team up with Saif Rahman of Peregrine.

Two of the Triangle&#x27;s most captivating chefs — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Saltbox&#x27;s Ricky Moore" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/06/14/durham-chef-ricky-moore-of-saltbox-wins-james-beard-award" data-vars-content-id="1aaf708c-a496-4278-93f2-407323458236" data-vars-headline="An all-star cooking collab comes to Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2022/06/14/durham-chef-ricky-moore-of-saltbox-wins-james-beard-award" target="_self">Saltbox&#x27;s Ricky Moore</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Peregrine&#x27;s Saif Rahman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/19/saif-rahman-peregrine-raleigh-ramadan-iftar-bangladeshi-southern-fusion" data-vars-content-id="1aaf708c-a496-4278-93f2-407323458236" data-vars-headline="An all-star cooking collab comes to Raleigh" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/03/19/saif-rahman-peregrine-raleigh-ramadan-iftar-bangladeshi-southern-fusion" target="_self">Peregrine&#x27;s Saif Rahman</a> — are teaming up next month for an exclusive dinner in Raleigh.Why it matters: The meal, cooked over an open flame, will celebrate North Carolina&#x27;s eating habits and culinary practices.

Good Fortune elevates Chapel Hill's cocktail scene

Good Fortune pairs a dramatic design with thoughtful cocktails, plus a welcome drink before you order.

Good Fortune, a Chinatown-inspired cocktail bar, quietly opened on Franklin Street in April with an eye-catching design and a meticulously crafted drinks menu.Why it matters: Good Fortune adds a polished new cocktail destination to downtown Chapel Hill, and it&#x27;s building an audience during the slower summer season.

DNA tests raise questions about Outer Banks shrimp labels

Researchers found only 11 of 22 restaurants accurately labeled wild-caught American shrimp.

Half the shrimp marketed as &quot;wild-caught American&quot; at Outer Banks restaurants last month was actually imported, according to genetic testing by SeaD Consulting.Why it matters: Consumers often pay premium prices at the coast expecting genuine U.S.-caught shrimp, even as cheaper imported shrimp dominates the wider market.

Food and Drink 🍽

A historic cottage in Dix Park will become a bar and cafe this week

A Parisian-style cafe is coming to The Exchange in midtown Raleigh

Peek into Fullsteam's new downtown Durham taproom

After life as a pop-up, Left Hook Coffee opens in new downtown Raleigh spot

Punch Bowl Social submits plans for Raleigh Iron Works location