Hillsborough Street is going under some major aesthetic changes to improve its image and become a better haven for N.C. State students, and some local businesses are following the trend.
Two Guys Restaurant, a mainstay on Hillsborough Street for over 35 years, is in the process of instituting a number of improvements aimed to both increase the restaurant’s appeal and build an even stronger connection with the University and the surrounding communities.
“We are hoping to join in the changing of Hillsborough with its new look to help rejuvenate the street as a destination,” Keith Getchell, the manager of Two Guys, said. “After 35 years, we are hoping to continue the tradition that Two Guys has here. With as many options as students have now as opposed to back then, we have to keep up with the times and offer items and services that students, faculty and the community look for.”
Two Guys has recently installed six big screen high definition televisions surrounding what was formerly the “dark room” and has also increased its food and beverage offerings in hopes of becoming a new destination for sports fans of all types.
“By adding the TVs we are hoping to show all the N.C. State games and also to make this a destination for those looking to watch not only college but professional sports as well,” Getchell said. “We’ll be running food and beer specials throughout games and daily as well.”
For those who have always loved Two Guys for their tradition of great food there is nothing to worry about.
“One of the things that Two Guys has always had is a quality of flavor not only found in our sauces but in our pizzas and other dishes as well,” Gretchell said. “It’s the same old Two Guys in flavor and customer care but with a new more modern look.”
Next door, Melvin’s Hamburgers and Five-O-Clock Sports Bar are also making some noticeable renovations by installing bi-fold garage doors on the front of the building, similar to those seen at Sammy’s in Mission Valley.
“We’ve placed [the doors] in the front of Five-O-Clock and Melvin’s so that in the evenings and on pleasant days we can open those up for open air dining,” Alan Lovette, owner of Melvin’s, said.
“We’re also increasing our menu to have many new items and a new late night breakfast,” he said. “Starting at 11 p.m. we’ve started serving breakfast all the way until 10 a.m. every day but Sunday.”
According to Lovette, businesses are going to have to invest in improvements to keep up with the changes coming to Hillsborough Street and the N.C. State area.
“In a time when Hillsborough Street is being redesigned and when the [N.C. State] athletic program is growing, businesses need to get ready for a new Hillsborough in the future, and this is just a stepping stone,” Lovette said.
Mike Sullivan, IFC VP of Recruitment and Rush Chair of Phi Delta Theta, feels the same.
“It is nice to see Hillsborough Street businesses actively putting forth efforts into catering specifically to students and revamping the area,” Sullivan said. ”Hillsborough Street needs to be an extension of N.C. State and its student body and not just a bunch of restaurants that students rarely
go to.”
The City of Raleigh has a program in place known as the Façade Grant Program, which helps qualifying businesses and property owners in older commercial areas upgrade and improve their buildings’ exterior appearances.
“[The program] is a 50/50 matching grant program for commercial businesses within certain areas including Downtown and Hillsborough Street among others,” Carter Pettibone, a planner in charge of the program, said. “Once the project is approved, [the business] has up to a year to do the work on the façade and once it’s done and inspected we would write them a check up to a certain amount depending on the location.”
Businesses in the Hillsborough Street area can get up to $10,000 for a project of $20,000 or more. Melvin’s is currently is taking advantage of this, according to Pettibone.
Two Guys, Melvin’s Hamburgers, Five-O-Clock Sports Bar and the Bowling Alley are collaborating to throw the Ultimate N.C. State Tailgate Party. Starting Wednesday Sept. 2, the night before the first home game against South Carolina, all four locations will be featuring live bands and lots of specials.
According to Lovette, ESPN is rumored to be coming by as part of their gameday coverage to film some night-before, Wolfpack excitement.
The event will be a recurring event on Fridays before every home game with things planned for away games as well. You can find more information on Facebook by searching for “Ultimate NC State Tailgate Party.”
Clint Townsend, a senior is business administration, said he thought this was a good start.
“It’s been a long process getting Hillsborough worked on, but [Two Guys and Melvin’s] are taking a good first step that others should follow,” Townsend said. “I like that they’re taking steps to be more involved with the University as well.”
Renovations on Melvins', Five-O-Clock Sports Bar and Two Guys Resturaunt continue as the owners try to bring in new consumers to the area. The planned improvements should be completed within the week. Photo by Jordan Moore
