The green monkey, a unique LGBTQ store selling gifts, memories and drinks, closes the doors of its shop in rue Wilmington.
“After 12 incredible years as a brick and mortar store, we decided to close our doors,” the store owners said in a press release.
The green monkey is not the first company in Raleigh to close its doors this year.
Vivie Aravidis and Pierce Rogers are the owners of Pallbereer, a vintage store on foot from the green monkey. They told Wral News that he was always sad to see a close business and they hope he opens the door to another small business to open.
“Of course, you don’t want companies to close, especially our neighbors,” said Aravidis. “Something that I think doesn’t talk about enough is that the things that opened last year, and I have the impression that Raleigh is really starting to recover from Covid.”
In the past year, several stores have opened and closed the city center.
Some residents of the city center say that crime nearby is to be blamed for companies that choose to leave, citing incidents occurring at Moore Square station over the years.
Aravidis and Rogers feel that the city center sometimes gets a bad envelope.
“People can have a strong impression of the city center, and I think that the imprint can sometimes be stronger than reality. I think we have a downtown in complete safety. We have a city center that is Magnificent for walking and bringing your family to, ”says Rogers.
Some business owners in the city center say to Wral News, if more events took place in the city center, this would bring more pedestrian traffic and help small businesses.
“The truth is that our city center is historic, it’s beautiful, it’s really cute,” said Rogers. “In truth, we just need things to happen here that will bring people here.”
Customers have until March 15 to buy at the green monkey. After that, operations will be moved online.
In relation: Change catering habits contributing to Raleigh restaurant closings, say owners of economists and business
Previous: The growth report highlights the downtown boom raleigh
More: Revitalization of the old Kmart on Western BLVD: new businesses and residences to come soon