Is Raleigh losing its history? Loss of yet another beloved institution triggers discussion over preserving city's culture

Locals and leaders said they're hoping something can be done to balance new growth while maintaining character.

Jonas Chisolm is passionate about Raleigh’s music and nightlife scene; He, along with others have noticed iconic and memorable places go away.

"The concern for me is development," said Chisolm. "These institutions are not being replaced by businesses attempting to recreate that energy that brought people to Raleigh over the last 20 years."

Beloved Glenwood South restaurant has closed

The owners mention "unprecedented financial hardship" in a letter that went public.

Up the road was a place where people gathered for a sense of community.

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A native of Raleigh, councilman Corey Branch, said he and city reps want to find the best to make room for change in a strategic manner.

Raleigh’s been evolving for over 40 years," said Branch. "Being sure that in holding onto the history we do not hold back the future. We have to find that balance."

A balance of knowing growth is inevitable.

But locals also say they want to keep the hometown feel.

"If you want to build a ‘better Raleigh' you have to include the people in it, you have to think about what they want and sometimes it’s going to be at odds with what makes people the most money or what looks the most lucrative as a business," said Chisolm.

Another city councilman Jonathan Melton said he credits the city council for finding ways to preserve places like The Creamery and Seaboard Station.

"Cities change, and it’s an exciting time to be in downtown Raleigh as we welcome more residents and new businesses. As we grow, it’s important we preserve as much of our history and spaces that make Raleigh unique as possible. I’m glad that in several recent cases we’ve been able to work with new developments to preserve places like Seaboard Station, The Creamery, and the Berkeley Café building," said Melton. "I look forward to more collaboration as we make room for everyone."

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WRAL's Hidden Historian Heather Leah is a fifth-generation Raleighite with a passion for preserving the city's culture and history. Listen as WRAL's Amanda Lamb and Heather Leah share memories from these lost places on our latest podcast.