In this issue:
Target is set to anchor the Northgate Mall site
Chef Michael Lee is opening a new fine-dining Korean restaurant
A new Portuguese-focused wine bar opens in East Durham
Durham County commissioners held a budget-focused public hearing
Target to Anchor Northgate Mall Redevelopment
Northgate Mall has been empty since 2020. Target will be the anchor tenant for Ellerbe Square, Regency Centers' planned redevelopment of the 60-acre site on West Club Boulevard.
What gets built: Regency Centers plans to demolish most of the existing mall and replace it with nine retail suites and five additional retail buildings. Site plans entered administrative review last November. No opening date for the Target store has been announced.
Community framework: Durham city leaders adopted a resident-driven plan for the site in August 2025 calling for a "15-minute" community, affordable housing at 20% of units for households earning 30 to 80% of area median income, and a grocery store.
Durham stores: Target already has two Durham locations, one on Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard and one at Renaissance Village, and just opened its 2,000th store nationwide in Fuquay-Varina.
The Catch: Northwood Investors, which bought the mall in 2018 for $34.5 million, still controls the rest of the site and has not said what it plans to build there.
M Hansik Korean Restaurant Opening in Durham
Chef Michael Lee is opening his sixth restaurant in downtown Durham. M Hansik, a Korean fine-dining concept, is set to open in May at Wye Junction in the 4,100-square-foot former Plum space at 501 Washington St.
The concept: M Hansik is the Korean word for Korean cuisine. Lee, who was born in Korea, is planning a fine-dining menu of modern takes on traditional dishes, a different direction from any of his existing concepts.
Lee's restaurants: He launched M Sushi in Durham about a decade ago, followed by M Kokko, M Tempura, and M Pocha, all in the city. He later added two Cary locations. M Hansik will be his fifth Durham restaurant.
The neighbors: Wye Junction already has Atomic Clock Brewing and a Durham outpost of Washington DC's Timber Pizza, which opened earlier this year.
The Backstory: M Sushi is widely considered one of the best sushi bars in the Triangle. This will be the first time Lee has built a concept around his Korean roots.
Pinheiro Wine Bar Opens in East Durham
Sergio Ramos opened Pinheiro, Vinho e Vida on March 20 at 304 South Driver Street, a block that already has Ideal's Sandwich Shop, Sofia's Pizza, and Dame's Chicken and Waffles. The bar focuses on Portuguese and Spanish wines, with about 10 rotating by-the-glass options.
The space: 34 seats, including 8 at a communal table. Snacks to start, with cheese and charcuterie from an unnamed vendor coming later. Retail bottles available to sip in-house or take home.
Wine philosophy: Ramos plans to focus on underrepresented producers, including winemakers from unfamiliar regions and those who are female, LGBTQ+, or indigenous. He holds credentials from the Society of Wine Educators and Wines of Portugal.
Ramos's history: He spent years behind the bar at Durham's original Bar Brunello, which closed during the pandemic. His parents are from Brazil and Portugal, which is where the Iberian focus comes from.
Context: Driver Street has added more food and drink in the last three years than it did in the decade before. Pinheiro is the latest.
Durham County Approves Venture Park, Faces $5M Gap
Durham County Board of County Commissioners - Regular Session, March 23, 2026
Durham County commissioners voted unanimously Monday to authorize a $1M economic development deal for Welcome Venture Park. The same meeting surfaced a $5M structural budget gap heading into FY 2026-27.
The deal: The county's $1M funds sewer upgrades to unlock Phase 3 of the 157-acre industrial park near Guess Road. In exchange, the county gets a six-month option on a brownfield parcel for a future Durham-to-Roxboro Rail Trail trailhead. Phase 1 tenants include the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC and a biopharmaceutical logistics company.
No bus service: Commissioner Valentine asked whether transit reaches the park. It does not. The developer said they are open to future connections but have nothing planned.
Budget gap: The county faces $13.5M in projected spending growth against $8.7M in new revenue for FY 2026-27. The budget director flagged potential federal cuts to SNAP and public health funding as additional pressure beyond the baseline shortfall.
Why It Matters: Commissioners left having unanimously backed a jobs deal at a site with no bus service, while beginning a budget season that may require them to raise taxes, cut services, or both.
Brit Floyd
DPAC
March 26
The Pink Floyd tribute act brings its latest concert production to DPAC. Details >>
David Spade
DPAC
March 27
The comedian brings his current stand-up tour stop to DPAC. Details >>
Durham Bulls FanFest
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
March 27
A preseason fan event hosted by the Durham Bulls ahead of Opening Day. Details >>
International Championship of High School A Cappella 2026 South Semifinals
Carolina Theatre (Fletcher Hall)
March 27
A high school a cappella competition featuring groups performing for a spot in the finals. Details >>
NY Dog Film Festival
Carolina Theatre
March 28
A curated slate of short dog-themed films presented as a festival screening. Details >>
No Kings March
Durham Central Park
March 28
A public march event scheduled at Durham Central Park. Details >>
Bull City Food & Beer Experience
DPAC
March 29
A food and beer tasting event with participating chefs, breweries, and restaurants. Details >>
NCCU received a $10 million NIH subgrant to launch a new translational science research program, one of the larger research investments at the university in recent years. Read More >>
A penthouse condo in a new 27-story downtown Durham tower has relisted for $5.99 million, setting a new local price marker for the building. Read More >>
Duke students stepped in to save "Puppy Kindergarten," a program that gives future service dogs their first socialization and obedience training, after it faced an uncertain future. Read More >>
Jeans by the Sea has opened in the former Durham Filling Station, bringing a new seafood restaurant to Durham with plenty of outdoor seating and Tuesday-through-Saturday hours. Read More >>
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