Knockabout Closing in City Market, Catch 22 Moving in with Primp Salon

New Raleigh has (unconfirmed) word that Michelle Lyon, owner of Knockabout in City Market, will be packing up her Peculiar Pets and moving over to Glenwood South. It seems that Uncommon Goods has picked up the Peculiar Pets, which we highlighted in our gift guide, and Lyon will concentrate on making these full time.

We are sad to see Knockabout leave, but we do wish Lyon all the best on her new venture. Hey, my six month old son has a Peculiar Pet. With one addition to City Market, comes a big loss. This is not only a loss for City Market, but for Downtown Raleigh retail as a whole. Also, Metro (the bar beside Knockabout in City Market), has been shut down. We know little about the logistics and will therefore leave it at that.

On a similar retail note, lots of downtowners started freaking out when they heard that Catch 22, which opened back in 2007 on Glenwood South, was “moving”. Luckily, there are no quotations around the move and there is no reason to freak out. Owner Heather Long will be moving the shop one block West into a spot next to Primp Salon. The two shops share a few employees and clients and therefore they will become a more present spot with the two of them located next door to each other. The two shops intend to collaborate more often on hosting parties and events.

When we spoke with her, Long was very excited about the move and looks to open the shop again on March 1st. Until then, all apparel and some fixtures are on sale (50%) off until Dec 28th. Jewelry is not included.

This leaves a PRIME spot on both Glenwood South and City Market. Wonder what will pop into these?

• Rokr
  12/26 01:04 PM
  

  This is no wonder.  The anchor of the entire City Market is the building formerly known as Greenshields.  Its nearly ten darkened years do little to attract the foot traffic so desperately needed for grassroots retail.  To revitalize this space as an actual city market would be… visionary.  Places like the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia and the North Market in downtown Columbus, OH are prime examples of the type of… ah hell… its not even worth it anymore.  Take a look if you’re interested:

  http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/
  http://www.northmarket.com/

• RaleighRob
  12/28 08:23 AM
  

  City Market is indeed suffering right now it appears.  While it’s built quite well for a pedestrian-friendly shopping experience, it really needs some anchors to draw people there.  Otherwise folks don’t hardly have any reason to be there.

  As for Catch 22, it sounds like a good business move in one way, but in another, it seems like a less-visible spot they are going to.  I first visited the place simply by noticing it on my way to Thaiphoon one day.  Its current spot is probably the most visible corner in the Glenwood South district.

• gd
  12/28 09:58 AM
  

  I went to Catch 22 yesterday and got a shirt.  I was hoping they would have more in my size cause you can’t go wrong buying quality clothes at 50% off!  I am glad Catch 22 is just moving around the corner and not “moving” for good…

• Donata Lewandowski Guerra
  01/04 05:19 PM
  

  The Reading Terminal Market indeed is a good use of that area.  And I do agree that a visionary approach is needed for the City Market venue’s former Greenshields’ space, especially once Moore Square is redesigned and promoted.  It could be turned into a retail area with stalls and mini-eateries, just as has been done in the area near The Grove in Los Angeles.

  However, the City Plaza area is now catching the latest wave.  The Farmers Market is moving there and I look forward to taking my business, Old Broom Street, into their new location as I support their vision and planning one hundred percent. 

  Yet it seems that there’s plenty of room for more original retail or other markets.  I know many, many crafters who would love to rent small spaces on a once-a-week basis to connect with the public rather than in cyberspace.  Maybe the property owners here might come up with a plan—create a once-a-week shopping and eating experience not in conflict with the aims of the City Plaza Farmers Market (alternative day with activities perhaps more suited to a covered space, which could include cooking demonstations, poetry readings, etc.)

  Seems to me another voice to listen to or solicit might be that of DesignBox.  These people are brilliant and have the best interests of the city at heart.