The Raleigh-Durham International Airport has never been known for its eclectic mix of shops and businesses, but that may change next year with the opening of the airport's new terminal.
Unlike previous efforts, which added one or two new stores at a time, The Airport Authority is looking to turn Terminal C into a miniature mall, with 40 stores and restaurants. And this week, it approved plans for 18 of them.
They will build on the momentum already going at the airport, which included announcements of RDU's first Starbucks and a Wolfgang Puck to Go.
The new terminal's restaurants will be both local favorites and chains, including Carolina Ale House, 42nd Street Oyster Bar, Gordon Biersch Brewery, Brookwood Farms North Carolina barbecue, Jose Cuervo Tequileria, Bruegger's Bagels, Starbucks, California Pizza Kitchen, A&W All American Food and KFC.
Stores that have signed on so far are A Southern Season, 2nd Edition Booksellers, Brooks Brothers, Borders, Drugs & More, PGA Tour Shop, University News & Sports and Taxco Sterling, seller of sterling silver jewelry.
In Knightdale's Shoppes at Midway Plantation off U.S. 64, Rita's Water Ice opens today, and IHOP opens Oct. 1. Lonestar Steakhouse opened last week. Nicole's Swimwear and The Athlete's Foot signed leases, but there's no word yet on when they will open.
Two furniture dealers merged into one store called Southern Portico in Durham selling antiques and vintage items from the 1950s and 1960s. At 619 Foster St., it is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Other items: Wake Forest Florist & Gifts opened a second location at 306 S. White St. in The Cotton Company, also in Wake Forest. ... NP Nails opened at 7400 Six Forks Road in Raleigh's Peachtree Market. ... In Carrboro, the Southern Rail restaurant is open, serving American cuisine in the rail cars near the intersection of Main Street and Weaver Street. ... In Cary, Kristen's Shoe Boutique is open in The Arboretum at 2045 Renaissance Park Place.
From my blog this week:
- Cary, a specialty lacrosse store called Battle Lacrosse opened at 1018 Ryan Road, near Cary Towne Center.
- Lowes Foods opened in North Raleigh at 8440 Louisburg Road.
- Best Buy Mobile is planning its first two Triangle stores. "Mobile" is a branch of Best Buy focused solely on mobile phones, accessories and service. The first store will open in late October in Raleigh's Cameron Village. The second will open in Cary Towne Center in November
- A Roly Poly wrap shop will open at 4040 Ed Drive in Raleigh Oct. 3. Ed Drive is off Edwards Mill Road, near Duraleigh Road. In the same center, gourmet meal preparation business Cena is also open.
