Enoteca Vin just shut their doors on Glenwood South. Also shutting their doors and owing a lot of people is the Carolina Wine Company - one of the biggest wholesalers in the Southeast. Shame WRAL doesn't want to investigate that mess - but Meeker has already declared that Raleigh is Recession Proof.

and Part 2 of the email:

We tried this once before, three years ago, and your outpouring overwhelmed us, demanding an encore. This Friday, January 30th, we’ll serve lunch at Joe’s Place for the last time; and you’re not going to talk me out of it this time! We truly have enjoyed our run at it, but feel that now it is time for us to move on. We will leave here with many fond memori

Here is the email that Joe sent out:

My Dear Friends- I have finally reached the very difficult decision to close Joe’s Place. For more than 29 years you have shared your lives and much laughter with us. It is during our times of great joy and sorrow that we learn who our friends are. Connie and I define friends as the people we choose to call our family. We have been richly blessed with the good fortune that has brought many of you our way. Thank you all for the countless treasured moments we have spent together. You have greatly enriched our lives and have been incredibly generous with your show of support and love over these many years.

foetine: Also, to compare The Mint with Joe's Place in atmosphere AND especially, prices, is like comparing oranges and stones. I never go downtown, but when I was there New Year's Eve, the restaurants I saw were kind of fancy, schmancy & not even in the same league with Joe's restaurant. Meeker thinks downtown is going to survive with that atmosphere?? If so, he's in HUGE denial.

Treet - the end of the article reads: "The owners announced plans to close in 2006, only to change their mind."

So therefore you need to retract your: "foetine, the article stated nothing about the owner or any previous thoughts of closing. Maybe you need to lighten up a bit; I was just asking if the owner was being humorous or being spiteful ... the statement in the news article can be read either way.

Downtown is not having a complete Glenwood South rise. The Mint is rumored to be in trouble as it bleeds red ink. The condos don't seem to be opening up as fast as anticipated or even being build. The grocery store has closed twice. If we get the NHL all star game in 2012 - what's really going to be open down there besides a few hotdog carts and a soup kitchen?