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Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses

In North Carolina and beyond, young entrepreneurs are buying up small businesses from founders nearing retirement.

Business

Rob Belk, 35, grew up in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte" data-vars-content-id="7a6faaac-45d5-40be-af90-2649b31e3c01" data-vars-headline="Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte" target="_self">Charlotte</a>, selling ladies&#x27; shoes at the SouthPark mall Belk, his family&#x27;s eponymous department store — a grind that instilled in him an entrepreneurial bug. Earlier this year, he purchased Sales Factory, a Greensboro marketing and insights agency that&#x27;s been around since 1984.Why it matters: In North Carolina and beyond, young entrepreneurs are buying up small businesses from founders nearing retirement — part of a phenomenon dubbed the &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="silver tsunami" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/retirement-crisis-social-security-2026" data-vars-content-id="7a6faaac-45d5-40be-af90-2649b31e3c01" data-vars-headline="Why young North Carolina entrepreneurs are buying up Boomer businesses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/29/retirement-crisis-social-security-2026" target="_self">silver tsunami</a>&quot; that&#x27;s resulting in a massive transfer of wealth.

North Carolina Democrats push for early 2028 primary

North Carolina is one of 12 states allowed to bid to be one of the first primary states in 2028.

Politics

North Carolina Democrats are lobbying to make the state one of the first presidential primary contests in 2028, arguing the state reflects the rest of the U.S., given its growing and diverse <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/29/north-carolina-kept-growing-last-year-despite-immigration-slowdown" data-vars-content-id="3aa3de09-b521-4564-befe-543e59dd7aa1" data-vars-headline="North Carolina Democrats push for early 2028 primary" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/01/29/north-carolina-kept-growing-last-year-despite-immigration-slowdown" target="_self">population</a>.Why it matters: If selected, North Carolina could hold a large influence over which candidate ultimately secures the nomination. It could also attract tens of millions of dollars of investments into statewide campaigns.

The Triangle's college grad boom

The Triangle's universities continue to power the region's growth

News

The Triangle has been one of the leading regions for adding residents with college degrees since the pandemic, a new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" data-vars-content-id="49637436-34a4-46c4-b872-bb6949543d3e" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s college grad boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/acs-5-year-gains-educational-attainment.html" target="_blank">report</a> from the U.S. Census Bureau finds. Why it matters: The Triangle has long prided itself on how much talent its universities produce, helping make the region one of the biggest areas for job growth <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over the past decade" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/the-top-10-us-cities-for-job-opportunities-and-earning-potential-according-to-new-report.html" data-vars-content-id="49637436-34a4-46c4-b872-bb6949543d3e" data-vars-headline="The Triangle&#x27;s college grad boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/03/the-top-10-us-cities-for-job-opportunities-and-earning-potential-according-to-new-report.html" target="_blank">over the past decade</a>.

Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding

Renovations are ongoing at many businesses, while others have closed completely.

More than seven months after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tropical Storm Chantal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-north-south-carolina-flood" target="_self">Tropical Storm Chantal</a> significantly flooded parts of Chapel Hill, businesses at the popular Eastgate Crossing shopping center are still working to clean up the mess.Why it matters: The lingering effects of Chantal, which dumped more than 7 inches of rain in 12 hours, have shown just how damaging <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fast-forming tropical storms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/07/07/tropical-storm-chantal-tropical-weather-triangle-north-carolina-carrboro-chapel-hill-durham" target="_self">fast-forming tropical storms</a> can be amid intensifying climate change.<ul><li>Chantal caused <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than $56 million worth of damage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" data-vars-content-id="1cc3490d-4976-4d4f-a3fa-bca1c4e5b2b0" data-vars-headline="Chapel Hill businesses still dealing with effects of tropical storm flooding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/orange-county/article310619555.html" target="_blank">more than $56 million worth of damage</a> in Orange County, much of that at Eastgate Crossing. </li></ul>

Delta's THC-infused seltzers offers a new way to vibe for any occasion

THC seltzers from local North Carolina brand Delta Beverages are delivering the vibe without the booze and offering a zero-calorie way to raise a glass this holiday season.

Food and Drink

THC seltzers from local North Carolina brand Delta Beverages are delivering the vibe without the booze and offering a zero-calorie way to raise a glass this holiday season.Why it&#x27;s important: The U.S. drinking rate hit a new low this year and more Americans than ever think moderate drinking is bad for your health.

Find space and savings at Copper Ridge

True Homes is helping first-time buyers find quality homes — without leaving the Raleigh area.

Partners

Affordability feels increasingly out of reach for many first-time homebuyers in the Triangle. Prices are up, inventory is low and competition for starter homes is fierce.The story: True Homes wants to change that with new home communities like Copper Ridge at Flowers Plantation — a new community just outside Clayton that makes spacious, high-quality living more accessible to Raleigh-area buyers.

📍 REALTORS® know the market — and the map

Raleigh's population is booming — and NC REALTORS® help buyers and sellers keep up.

86% of homebuyers and almost 90% of sellers worked with a real estate professional in 2023 — and with good reason.Here&#x27;s why: North Carolina REALTORS® have the local knowledge and skills you need to keep up with Raleigh&#x27;s breakneck growth.

How EarnIn's Early Pay gives workers more financial flexibility

EarnIn's Early Pay allows workers access to their paychecks up to two days early — no matter the bank.

Many workers face a frustrating reality: bills don&#x27;t wait for payday. When rent, gas or groceries are due before a paycheck arrives, the gap can create unnecessary financial stress.The story: For Imani Brown, a college student and assistant manager in Raleigh, NC, that gap was all too real. Moving from California to attend an HBCU was both exciting and challenging — especially when balancing school, work and financial obligations.

Building your dream home is easier and more affordable than you think

Discover how True Homes can make your dream home a reality.

Real Estate

Staying on budget while home shopping is a challenge on its own — especially in today&#x27;s housing market. Staying on budget while personalizing a brand-new home? It may sound completely out of reach, but it&#x27;s possible with True Homes.

Sunshine is free — here’s how to use it to your advantage

Why get solar now? Prices have dropped significantly — and homeowners save even more money with federal tax credits that offset installation costs.

&quot;Solar and batteries completely changed how I think about using electricity,&quot; says Michael J., a Freedom Solar PowerⓇ customer who &quot;never wants to live in a house without solar energy again.&quot;Why it&#x27;s important: Solar replaces fossil fuels with homegrown renewable energy, so every panel installed lessens the need to burn dirty fossil fuels.This makes a difference by…

4 ways True Homes gives back in Raleigh

True Homes has made it a priority to deliver affordable housing in each of the five metropolitan markets it serves, including in Raleigh.

True Homes has made it a priority to deliver affordable housing in each of the five metropolitan markets it serves, including in Raleigh.