“North Carolina is home to a bustling epicenter for tech startups, brainy talent, and killer barbecue.
A hyper-educated workforce means the Research Triangle, the North Carolina region comprising Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh—Inc.‘s No. 3 Surge City–has a booming and brainy startup scene. Once known for tobacco and textiles, the area has reinvented itself as a hub equally well-versed in tech and food.”
Read more in INC.
“Durham pairs hyperlocal food and drink with tons of personality, and wine country is just a couple hours outside this Southern city.
Durham, North Carolina, has a spirit that can’t be defined, but that’s how residents like it. The former tobacco town has emerged as a sweet, forward-thinking Southern city—with a food and drink scene to match. Thanks to a supportive community, an array of locally owned shops, restaurants, bars and cultural centers shine here.”
Read more in Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
Veteran-run, Healthy Fast Casual Restaurant to Serve Hungry PopUp Customers Jan. 3-31
For Justus McGee, owner of Soul Fresh Spring Rolls, the heat of the kitchen is nothing compared to previous roles as one of eleven children in a working family household, an Army Paratrooper serving in Afghanistan and an elementary, middle and high school teacher.
Throughout his entire life and all of his past endeavors, cooking remained a passion he knew he would pursue one day.
“I can’t remember a time I wasn’t cooking,” says Justus. “I can recall watching my Grandpa Arthur create feasts for our entire family inspiring me to consider a career making people happy through food. I whipped up my first BBQ sauce at ten which I served my fellow soldiers in front of the barracks at Fort Bragg on Smoke Bomb Hill and still serve to this day in the form of our Black is Beautiful BBQ Sauce.”
Justus made his passion and dream a reality in 2017 in the form of the SoulFresh Food Truck.
SoulFresh produces unique spring rolls with fresh and minimally processed ingredients. Their combinations created through a much more healthful grilling method (vs. frying) include Chickpea Broccoli Mushroom, Buffalo Chicken Kale and the popular Thanksgiving Roll. SoulFresh uses organic vegetables, spices, and non-GMO foods that they source as locally as possible including from area farmers markets.
“Justus is the type of entrepreneur we created the PopUp experience to feature,” says Adam Klein, director of strategy at Capitol Broadcasting Company, which owns the campus. “He’s served his country, his community and now he has the opportunity to serve all of the Triangle’s restaurant patrons a unique menu of healthy, fresh and delicious food.”
Dates and Times:
More on PopUp @ American Tobacco Campus
PopUp @ American Tobacco Campus will regularly feature new entrepreneurs and their concepts. The revolving showcase deepens and enhances Durham’s role as “the Startup Hub of the South.”
PopUp experience has spread from the single location to also include PopUp opportunities at The Bullpen.
PopUps featured in the space include Caballo Rojo, Boricua Soul, MicMag by Me, East Durham Pie Shop, Beard and Lady and NC Oyster 365.
Entrepreneurs can review PopUp @ American Tobacco Campus’ microsite (popupdurham.com) for details and information on how to be involved.
Consumers can also check the microsite for information on the latest PopUp showcase. American Tobacco’s social channels (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) will carry PopUp news. The hashtag is #PopUpDurham. Images for press are here.
About Capitol Broadcasting
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV , WRAL Digital , WRAZ-TV , WRAZ Digital, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM , WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3 , WCLY-AM , WCMC-HD4 , Microspace , CBC New Media Group and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Bull Durham Beer Co., and the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC; and Professional Builders Supply (an equity partnership) in Morrisville, NC.