Hello Friday.
April 25 2025
Just like the car industry in the 2000s, the post-pandemic work model is going hybrid — and it’s a positive for local coworking companies.
The Loading Dock's coworking space | Photo by The Loading Dock
Coworking spaces were popular before the pandemic, but when the world switched to remote work practices, people stopped going into offices. Coworking spaces Raleigh Founded, The Loading Dock, Industrious, and American Underground all reported a dip in demand during those early months.
Fast forward to a year later + membership levels are back to normal. At American Underground, membership is actually higher than it was pre-COVID.
So what caused the comeback? The rise of a hybrid work model that allows employees to split their time between working from home + working from an office.
“Remote work has obviously taken off since the pandemic and I think it’s more than a trend, it’s a lifestyle shift,” Jessica Porta, director of Raleigh Founded, said. “What we are seeing in our spaces is more of a hybrid-remote model where companies of all sizes are downsizing and taking a smaller footprint.”
Industrious rolled out a new membership option to cater to this model where members only pay for the days they visit the space.
American Underground also saw an influx of new members who started businesses during the pandemic and now need the entrepreneurial support + community that coworking spaces offer, Tim Scales director of growth, said.
The Loading Dock also offers cowarehousing spaces at its Dock 1053 location. Companies can rent warehouse space, have access to things like dollies + an actual loading dock for shipments.
The Loading Dock's cowarehouse space | Photo by The Loading Dock
Like other industries, companies needing cowarehousing space are spiking, too.
“There is a noticeable increase in activity and interest in our model, and we don't anticipate that trend slowing down anytime soon,” Brian Fuhs, director of business development at The Loading Dock, said.
Community
- First Friday - Pride Month Edition | Fri., June 4 | 6–9 p.m | Raleigh Union Station Plaza, 510 W Martin St. | Free | Celebrate the start of Pride Month with the LGBT Center of Raleigh + fun activities for the whole family. 🌈
Talk
Active
- The Cy King Summer Classic | Fri., June 4 | 5:30 p.m. | North Hills Club, 4824 Yadkin Dr. | $100+ | Come out for this 3-tournament tennis fundraiser for the Cy King Community Tennis Fund and enjoy dinner + drinks. ⛳
Saturday
- Run for Love 5K | Sat., June 5 | 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. | 1251 Goode St. | $35+ | The Dix Park Race Series has returned + proceeds will go to Pride Raleigh and The LGBT Center of Raleigh. 👟
- Taste of Soul NC Variety Edition | Sat., June 5 | 2–7 p.m. | Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street | Free+ | This food fest has something for everyone from barbeque to burgers + Italian ice accompanied by a live DJ.
- Lilith Flair | Sat., June 5 | 9:30–11 p.m. | Ruby Deluxe, 415 S Salisbury St. | Free | Lilith Flair joins the stage for the night along with the ultimate drag king experience.
- Young People's Concert Matinee: Carnival of the Animals | Sat., June 5 | 3 p.m. | Virtual | $21.46 | The NC Symphony is streaming Carnival of the Animals, a production perfect for all ages. 🐅
Sunday
- Transgender Initiative Pride Picnic and Free Skate | Sun., June 6 | 1–4 p.m. | Marsh Creek Park, 3050 N New Hope Rd. | Free | Grab some lunch and head to the park for some skating + games.
- DJ Luxe Posh | Sun., June 6 | 1–4 p.m. | Dix Park Conservancy, 2105 Umstead Dr. | Free | Layout on the flower fields + listen to some tunes from DJ Luxe Posh for a lively afternoon. 🎧
- WhoIAre | Sun., June 6 | 4 p.m. | Compass Rose Brewery, 3201 Northside Dr. #101 | Free+ | Enjoy drinks and live rock music from a local band. 🎸
The NC Hops Festival is coming to the NC State Fairgrounds June 12-13 + tickets are on sale now. A $45 ticket gets you access to the festival where you can sample NC craft beer, cider, and seltzer for 4 hours.
Designated driver tickets are available for $10, and all attendees must be at least 21. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online.
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Weather
- 82º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain ⛈️
ComingSoon
- Chef Gregg Hamm is opening Libations 317 at the former The Borough restaurant location (317 W. Morgan St.) on Sat., June 12. Libations will offer craft cocktails, beer, wine, and scratch-made chef-inspired food. Editor Laura worked at Gregg’s Sanford restaurant Cafe 121 in high school — y’all have to try the jala-pimento cheese. 🧀
Show
- Don’t you cry tonight, Raleigh — because Guns n’ Roses announced a 2021 US tour with a stop in Raleigh. The rock band will play in PNC Arena on Wed., Sept. 29 + tickets go on sale today at 12 p.m. 🎸
Development
- Plans have been filed for a 20-story mixed-use building in downtown, which include ~300 apartments over ground-floor retail. The project — located near Red Hat Amphitheater across 3 parcels at 320 and 328 W. South St. — is called 320 South St. (Triangle Business Journal)
- Triangle Business Journal reported that biopharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences is moving into floors 7-9 of Kane Realty’s Midtown Plaza building in North Hills. The space — located at 305 Church at North Hills St. — was previously occupied by healthcare solutions company Allscripts. 🏢(Triangle Business Journal)
Holiday
- Koka Booth Amphitheatre in Cary is hosting a free July 4 celebration with live music + a fireworks show. You can picnic on the lawn, but tents, tarps, stakes, and pets are not allowed. Gates will open at 3:30 p.m., with the Cary Town Band playing at 5:45 p.m. and the NC Symphony playing at 7:30 p.m. 🎇(WRAL)
List
Watch
- Ainsley Seiger — 22-year-old Cary native — is one of the stars in NBC’s new series “Law & Order: Organized Crime.” Ainsley landed the role less than a year after graduating from the UNC School of the Arts. You can watch her episodes on the NBC website or Hulu. (The News & Observer)
Community
- Last month, we told you about an initiative the City of Raleigh + Shaw University are doing regarding race, racism, and social equity. The survey that was conducted received a total of 9,201 responses, and the results can be viewed here. More information on next steps will be coming soon.
WaterCooler
- Last night, the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in game 3, round 2 of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canes will play game 4 on Sat., June 5 in Florida at 4 p.m. 🏒
Theatre
- Join Raleigh Little Theatre in its production of The Mountaintop, written by Katori Hall. Watch a captivating reenactment of events before the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Shows will be available from June 10-19 + tickets can be purchased here. 🎟️
Tech
- Enloe Magnet High School students have created an app to help food pantry workers eliminate food waste. The student team plans to have 20-25 pantries across the state use their Pantry Patrol Community App + they’re entering the app in a national competition this month. (WRAL)
- NC State researchers have developed a new method for how artificial intelligence systems create images. The findings could impact industries like AI robotics. Next, the researchers are looking to extend the work to video + 3D images. (TechWire)
Drink
- Locally-based Epiphany Craft Malt — who works with breweries like Fullsteam Brewery + Trophy Brewing Co. — and Perry Farms are working together to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in the production of craft beer. They’re currently working to go carbon-neutral. 🍺(WRAL)
TryThis
- DYK some fruits + veggies last longer on the counter rather than the fridge? Hungry Harvest breaks down the best way to store produce + how to get the most out of each ingredient in their handy Produce Storage Guide. 🥑 Ⓟ
Biz
- There's a reason over 3 million people start their day with Morning Brew — the daily email that delivers the latest business news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Unlike most traditional news, Morning Brew keeps readers informed + entertained for free. Ⓟ
Trove curates online fashion to help women treasure their style | Photo provided
Dread getting dressed in the morning? Trove wants to change that. It’s the first fashion startup created for women in small to medium-sized cities — and the founder is from Greenville, SC.
With Trove, you can:
• Work with an experienced stylist to help you navigate your current + future wardrobe.
• Browse Trove’s curated independent brands.
• Feel your best in your wardrobe (read: Trove makes getting ready fun again). Ⓟ
#RALcurrent: What we're currently hoping for — Carly is currently hoping to check out NCMA's Art in Bloom exhibit soon + Laura is currently hoping she hung shelves she just put up in her new apartment correctly.
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