Taz has an idea about the future of Downtown Raleigh and a great one at that. “What if I took your modern suburban supermarket, broke it into four different stores and spread them around in Downtown Raleigh” he stated Friday. He already has one of the four pieces in place. The second one had its soft opening this weekend and will officially open, this Friday, July 4th.
From a convenience store, to a butcher shop to the essential drinks and snacks, Taz thinks that having various markets, each with its own specialty, is what Downtown Raleigh needs. “I want someone who wants to buy cigarettes or beer to be in and out, no waiting,” Taz stated. Why try to pack everything into one store, it seems logical, split up the duties between stores and maximize profit and speed. Taz currently owns the convenient store that is located around the corner from Cooper’s BBQ on the future site of The Edison. This store sells everything from cigarettes to toilet paper. The new location will focus mostly on beer, drinks and snacks. Most of the beers will be gourmet but will have some quick in and out beers because as Taz stated, “It’s like being between East and West Germany and trying to satisfy both crowds.” He has a point there. The night time crowd will be the main audience and I’m sure it will be a hit. Try finding a six pack of beer in Downtown Raleigh. Before Taz’s it wasn’t possible (unless you included Glenwood Avenue and Peace Street). Taz will give Peace Street a run for its money as he has a great selection of local and foreign beers from Duck Rabbit, Carolina Brewing Company to Shiner Black, Lambic and other high gravity beers.
Taz tried to paint the outside of the building with American Flag red and white but the city council told him the white was too white and the red as too bright. Go figure. So he repainted the facade and the evidence is there in the doorway. The interior of the facade is much brighter than the outside. An outspoken, yet very personable man, Taz welcomes critique on his beer and wine selection but there was something about the facade constrictions that didn’t settle as well. Nevertheless, Taz is here to stay and help transform Downtown Raleigh.
Next on Taz’s list is a downtown Butcher shop with fresh meat and vegetables. It will also be on South Wilmington Street. He recalled how important it was for something like this to be in the urban downtown structure. “I remember as a boy knowing my butcher’s by name” he stated. This is something few can recall in our area and it reminds me only of my time living in London and having to carry a 20 pound turkey 15 blocks home for Thanksgiving dinner. There’s something nice about small shops being added into our downtown this late in the game. Although we have erased a good amount of our historical infrastructure downtown, there’s always room for a new history, a new raleigh, especially with Taz in town. Taz for City Council!
Taz’s Supermarket
205 S Wilmington St
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 856-1962