This week in Durham: Drift Coffee + Kitchen opens its first local café at Hub RTP, and developers plan to demolish Northgate Mall for a new retail project. City leaders back restoring the historic Durham Athletic Park, while elections bring major turnover to City Council. A viral r/bullcity post reignites debate over luxury housing, and Neil deGrasse Tyson returns to DPAC for a science-meets-cinema talk.

-Jordan Parker

Coastal Coffee Favorite Drift Opens in Durham

North Carolina’s Drift Coffee + Kitchen has opened its first Durham café at Horseshoe at Hub RTP, marking the coffee chain’s third Triangle location and 12th overall. Founded in Ocean Isle Beach in 2014, Drift is known for its laid-back coastal style and made-from-scratch menu.

• New RTP Location: The 1,927-square-foot café at 3151 Elion Drive offers indoor and outdoor seating and a full breakfast and lunch menu.

• Expanding Brand: Drift plans to open a second Raleigh café next summer and launch its own roastery in Wilmington in 2026.

• Hub RTP Growth: The Horseshoe development is also adding Prime STQ (from the Prime BBQ team), High Horse, Di Fara Pizza, and a new Cheeni restaurant.

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Northgate Mall to Be Demolished for New Project

Developers plan to tear down much of Durham’s long-vacant Northgate Mall to make way for a new mixed-use retail hub called Ellerbe Square. The redevelopment proposal, led by Regency Centers, aims to revive the property with modern shops and restaurants while sparking debate about the site’s future.

• Major Overhaul: Plans include six new commercial buildings and more than 140,000 square feet of retail anchored by a national tenant.

• Community Pushback: Residents and city leaders want affordable housing, walkability, and green space included in future phases.

• Next Steps: The proposal is under administrative review by Durham officials, with additional project phases expected to be announced later.

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Durham Eyes Renovation of Historic Athletic Park

City leaders signaled support for restoring the historic Durham Athletic Park (DAP) — the onetime home of the Durham Bulls — rather than converting it into open green space. The nearly century-old venue could see a major upgrade focused on both preservation and expanded community use.

• Three Concepts: Consultants proposed options ranging from a $48M renovation of the stadium to an $85M full park transformation with restored creek access.

• Historic Preference: Council and local advocates, including former Mayor Nick Tennyson, favored keeping the baseball field and upgrading it for broader use.

• Potential Tenants: The Durham Sports Commission cited interest from a minor league team, a baseball academy, and NCCU’s softball team.

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Five Takeaways from Durham’s 2025 Elections

Durham’s municipal elections brought major turnover and record engagement, with voters reelecting Mayor Leonardo Williams while ushering in new voices on City Council. The results signal a shift in tone, but not necessarily direction, for Bull City politics.

• Major Shakeup: Incumbents DeDreana Freeman and Mark-Anthony Middleton lost their seats to Matt Kopac (Ward 1) and Shanetta Burris (Ward 2), ending an eight-year run that often defined council debate.

• Higher Turnout: More than 46,000 ballots were cast (about 21% of voters), which is a sharp rise from previous odd-year elections.

• Development Dominates: Growth and zoning were key issues; new members promise “balanced” approaches but haven’t revealed clear voting patterns yet.

• Money Didn’t Decide: Fundraising totals didn’t predict wins as Burris raised the least but won big; Kopac spent most but won narrowly.

• New Energy, Less Experience: With 16 years of experience leaving council, Mayor Williams and veteran Javiera Caballero will guide a policy-driven team.

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Reddit Thread: “$25,683/mo” sparks debate over Durham luxury housing

A r/bullcity post highlighting a $4M downtown Durham condo with an estimated $25K monthly payment drew hundreds of comments and a spirited discussion about wealth, affordability, and Durham’s rapid growth.

Most commenters balked at the price, saying they’d live in NYC or elsewhere for that money. Others noted ultra-wealthy buyers such as Duke doctors, alumni, and/or investors often purchase such homes as occasional residences.

A few argued luxury housing isn’t the problem; Durham needs more density and urban housing overall. The thread mixed humor and exasperation, ultimately reflecting residents’ unease with rising costs and the city’s shifting identity.

Neil deGrasse Tyson: An Astrophysicist Goes to the Movies – Part III
DPAC, Durham
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 7:30 PM
The famed astrophysicist and science communicator returns to DPAC with an all-new lecture exploring the real science behind iconic films from The Matrix to Finding Nem, plus a new section on AI in cinema. Expect an evening of humor, insight, and cinematic myth-busting.
Details >>

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