Closing – Downtown’s Budacai is trading boba for butter chicken. The beloved tea shop will soon rebrand as Amrut, a full-service Indian restaurant and bar. Fans of their signature boba can breathe easy — a limited tea menu will remain. Amrut will soft open Tuesday, April 15, becoming one of the few Indian dining spots downtown. (via The News & Observer)

Eat – Seafood lovers, get hype. Topsail Steamer, the ready-to-go seafood boil bucket biz featured on Shark Tank, is opening in North Raleigh near Deja Brew. No date yet, but we’re already hungry. (Triangle Business Journal)

Community – Big news for Southeast Raleigh: Southgate Library, currently one of Wake County’s smallest branches, will be replaced with a brand-new 12,000-square-foot building. Funded by $19 million in unallocated bond money, the project is set for completion in 2031. (INDY Week)

Opening – Chef Saif Rahman and artist Patrick Shanahan team up for Peregrine, the flagship restaurant of The Exchange Raleigh, opening Wednesday, April 9. Expect global flavors grounded in South Asian and Southern traditions.

Coming Soon – The Crunkleton is building momentum at its Smoky Hollow location, teasing opening details soon. The cocktail institution shared construction progress and promises an update this week.

Travel – RDU’s expanding its reach with two new direct flights: Bermuda via Bermuda Air and Pensacola, FL via Breeze Airways. Beach trip, anyone?

Health – Wake County Libraries are leveling up community care. Free health screenings — including glucose, A1C, blood pressure, and BMI — are now available at 11 locations through August, in partnership with Advance Community Health.

Environment – Allergy sufferers, rejoice. North Carolina’s pine pollen peaked this past Monday. A cold front and some rain are on the way, so plan to wash your car after this week’s yellow dust settles. (The News & Observer)

Development – Raleigh City Council is deep in debate over the proposed Lenovo Center rezoning, with local students and residents raising walkability concerns. More discussion is set for April 15. (The News & Observer)

Family Fun – Marbles Kids Museum is cooking up something special May 3–4 with the Creative Kitchen Kids Food Festival. Think: free entry, cooking workshops, scavenger hunts, and James Beard Foundation Future Foodies classes.

Books – Independent Bookstore Day lands Saturday, April 26. Now’s the time to scope out your favorite local shops — and maybe pick up a read (or five).

Did You Know? – Those Cheez-Its you snack on might be more local than you think. Cary’s Kellanova factory churns out 8,000 crackers per hour, using grain sourced from North Carolina farms. (WUNC)

Eat (Again) – If you’re up for a road trip, Winston-Salem’s food scene is calling, with James Beard-nominated restaurants, top-notch breweries, and standout distilleries.

Reminder – The REAL ID deadline is May 7. Expect longer DMV lines — so plan ahead, schedule online, and be patient.

Closing – After four decades, NC Theatre will take its final bow. A bankruptcy filing and failed merger have forced the organization to shut down after May’s “Into the Woods” production. (Triangle Business Journal)

Opening – The Lenny, a chic rooftop spot in Durham, opens April 9 with downtown views, seafood towers, and sunset DJ sets. A vibe.

Farm Fresh – Flowers Farmers Market returns April 15 and will run for seven Saturdays this season. Mark your calendars for fresh produce and local goodies.

Trending – Airbnb and VRBO are in a spat over a snarky ad — but we’re staying neutral. Our unique stays in Raleigh guide includes gems from both platforms.

Opening – The Crunkleton is officially opening tomorrow, April 8. Book that table now for craft cocktails, steaks, and hearth-fired wings in Smoky Hollow.

Event – Renovation inspiration awaits at the Southern Ideal Home Show this weekend. HGTV’s twin stars from Unsellable Houses will be there — tickets start at $13.

Sports – NC State standouts Azaiah James and Madison Hayes declared for the WNBA Draft, happening Monday, April 14. James is projected to go early; Hayes may go undrafted. (The News & Observer)

Biz – Entrepreneurs, unite! Raleigh-Durham Startup Week is on now through April 11. With 100+ speakers, panels, and networking opportunities, it’s a can’t-miss.

Ranked – According to Niche.com, Cary is the best place to live in NC (No. 28 in the U.S.), with Apex and Morrisville right behind. It’s giving “dream suburb.”

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