1. Everyone’s Favorite Peanut Man Jesse Broyles
Jesse Broyles didn’t just sell peanuts outside the state Capitol, he was a downtown fixture. He tended his peanuts over a charcoal fire, gave the pigeons names, and brought joy to every single person he met.
Today there are no more peanut vendors in
Raleigh (and very few pigeons), but the Peanut Man’s memory lives on.
2. Fast Times At Fat Daddy’s
After 29 years on Glenwood Avenue, Fat Daddy’s closed this year at the end of March, much to everyone’s dismay. The popular hangout had the best hamburgers and tater tots in Raleigh, great live music, and had three locations originally. Now, all three are gone. It will be sorely missed.
3. Harrelson Hall, After 2016
The iconic round building known as Harrelson Hall at NCSU has plans to be demolished in the summer of 2016. The round building looks pretty cool on the outside, but inside there is a lack of natural light and funky shaped seating, bathrooms, classrooms and curved chalkboards, making it a little less than functional.
4. The Best BBQ Ever At Don Murray’s BBQ & Seafood
Don Murray’s BBQ and Seafood on Capital Boulevard was a beloved place to get barbecue. You knew you were at the right place when you saw the miniature version of the building out front. Sadly, it is now a pawn shop.
5. The Uber-Cool Raleigh Underground
The Raleigh Underground was a hip underground entertainment district, also known as The Village Subway, with lots of great restaurants and nightclubs. It was literally an underground and was booming with nightlife and live music during the 70’s and 80’s. Unfortunately the daytime hours weren’t as popular or busy, and eventually the underground district closed in 1984.
6. A Summer Cooling Down With Locopops
Locopops was magically delicious. They had perfected the spicy Mexican chocolate pop and their Vietnamese ice cream was ridiculously tasty and sweet. The gourmet frozen treat company closed their Raleigh location, but locals can still travel over to Durham for their locopop tastiness.
7. Simpler Times With Pine State Creamery
Everyone remembers the days of the Pine State Creamery, one of the most beloved businesses of days gone past. The little orange milk trucks would deliver pasteurized milk to the porches of the locals every morning. The kids of the of 50’s remember scooping Pine State ice cream out of the little paper cups with tiny wooden spoons. Let us not forget Pine State Eggnog. If there’s one business everyone would vote to have return - it is this one.
8. The Record Bar
The Record Bar, originally founded in Durham, opened their first shopping center store in Raleigh North Hills Shopping Center in 1967. This was no regular music store chain, it was the best indie music store and had a cult-like following. After changing hands a couple of times, it was sold to Blockbuster who turned the chain stores into ‘Blockbuster Music’ stores, ending the Record Bar chain.
9. Sadlack’s Heroes on Hillsborough Street
Sadlack’s on Hillsborough Street was ground zero for the punk scene in Raleigh and the birthplace of Whiskeytown. It was the go-to place for great live music and brews and although it has closed, the owner, Rose Schwetz, bought and refurbished The Berkeley Cafe. While it doesn’t have the awesome musical history of Sadlack’s, it still has their menu of subs, cheesesteaks, burgers and a full bar.
10. In Fact, Most of the Character And Uniqueness on Hillsborough St.
A lot of restaurants, bars and local business that used to be on Hillsborough Street are gone. Not only Sadlack’s Hereos, but also The Comet Lounge, The Brewery and countless other unique, local businesses that brought character to the area. Even Schoolkids Records has moved. Now Hillsborough Street is a bit of a traffic maze with a mish-mash of various businesses - not all bringing character and uniqueness.
11. Real NASCAR Races At The Dixie Speedway
Bet you didn’t know that Raleigh used to have a speedway with NASCAR races. It was even home to the NASCAR Grand National Series, aka modern-day NASCAR Spring Cup Series. The one-mile oval speedway, originally named the Raleigh Speedway, which was deemed the Dixie Speedway by fans, opened in 1952 and in 1967 after complaints about noise from the locals, the track was demolished.
12. Bob Debardelaben, Bobbi Batista and Charlie Gaddy on WRAL Channel 5
Oh, many miss the good ole days on WRAL. Gaddy had an award-winning 24-year career, Battista spent seven years at WRAL, and DeBardelaben became known as "The Biggest Name in Weather" during a WRAL career that spanned three decades.
13. The Original Pullen Park Pool
The old Pullen Park pool had a lot of history. It was for men only until 1895 when it was finally opened to female use. It was also closed in 1962, when two black males entered with two white companions. It was a big civil rights event, although the pool remained segregated until 1965. In 1992 the pool was replaced by the Pullen Aquatic Center, but the old pool is fondly remembered.
14. The Awesome Andy’s Pizza
For many years, Andy’s Pizza at Quail Corners was the pizza place. The pizza was delicious and fresh and the crust was homemade and hand-tossed. Sure, it’s been replaced by Cristo’s, but it’s just not the same. Long live Andy’s Pizza. Speaking of pizza….
15. … And The Beautiful Brother’s Pizza
Brother's Pizza on Hillsborough Street is another joint that is sorely missed. The mozzarella was super high quality, the crust was hand-tossed, the sauce was delicious and homemade. The line would oftentimes extend out the door as patrons were happy to wait for their brick oven fired pizza.
16. George The Python at the Natural History Museum
George the Burmese python was the highlight of every school field trip to the Natural History Museum between 1964 and 1989. He was rescued by an Army soldier during the Vietnam War and lived at the Natural History Museum for 25 years. He was the most popular exhibit with the schoolchildren and received regular Christmas cards and Valentines from local kids. His remains are at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
17. Breakfast At Your House
“Hey, let’s have breakfast at your house!”, was a common sentiment among Raleigh locals for a long time. And no, they didn’t mean go to your house, but Your House, one of the best breakfast spots in Raleigh on Capital Blvd. They had the absolute best hashbrowns - of anywhere ever in the world.
18. A Home Delivery Of Charles Chips
Many Raleighites remember when Charles Chips delivered homemade potato chips, pretzels and cookies to their door. It was even better than getting milk delivered -- at least to kids. To some, it was even better than the ice cream truck. When are the days of food delivery going to come back in style?
19. The Best Drive-In Theaters Ever
The days of drive-in theaters are long gone in Raleigh, but the heyday was glorious. A few of the favorites were: Tower, Forest and Center Drive-Ins. You’re never going to see a double feature of “The Giant Gila Monster” and “The Killer Shrews” ever again.
20. A Local Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly, a grocery store chain, had many location in Raleigh. One of the most popular was located in the Five Points neighborhood and although NOFO is now in it’s place, they kept many of the original design elements, such as the bar created from Piggly Wiggly food cans. There are still Piggly Wiggly’s in the state of North Carolina, but no longer in Raleigh; locals have to travel to Zebulon, Bailey, or Pittsboro if they want the Piggly Wiggly experience.
21. A Peaceful Night At The Plantation Inn Motel And Restaurant
The Plantation Inn wasn’t actually a plantation at all, despite the appearance. It gave you the feel of a plantation, though, and It was a great mainstay for delicious food (most notably steaks), the best place for wedding receptions, corporate events, family celebrations, and a great place to rest your head. Unfortunately, the Inn’s best days were in the 60’s and 70’s and it was demolished in 2001. A shopping center named Plantation Point resides in its place.
22. Someone Drooling Over The Wonder Bread Smell
This particular point isn’t about what you won’t ‘see’ in Raleigh, but what you won’t smell. Remember when Hillsborough Street was a delicious mixture of Wonder Bread mixed with the KFC nearby? The sweet, yeasty aroma of the Wonder Bread factory could be smelled for blocks. Yeast, delicious yeast. It would make you instantly hungry.
23. The Love/Hate Debate Over Tippy’s Tacos
You either loved or hated Tippy’s Tacos. Some adored it, and some thought it was the grossest rendition of Mexican food available in Raleigh. Whether you loved or hated it, you had to admit that they had great corn dogs.
24. A Classy Night Out At The Ambassador Theater
The Ambassador Theater opened in 1938 it was the largest and most elaborate theater at 115 Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh, less than a block away from the State Capitol Building. For decades it was the premiere theater, until it was demolished and closed in 1979. How great would it be if it was still around? Even better, how great would it be if matinees were 25 cents?!
25. All The Turkish Delights
Turkish Delights was an odd little joint. First of all, it was in a purple house. Second of all, it was a Turkish bakery with great Turkish pastries (baklava!) and excellent Turkish coffee, but it was super well-known for it’s …. wait for it…. ice cream. One of the best was The Garbage Can--- 7 different candy bars, ice cream and cookie dough topping.
What do you miss in Raleigh? Tell us in the comments below!
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