7 Best Small Businesses in Raleigh, NC

Are you interested in visiting small businesses around Raleigh, NC? Here are the seven best small businesses in Raleigh, NC.

Ranked as the #1 city with the best quality of life in the United States and the second-best in the world, Raleigh is an excellent place to live for many reasons. Raleigh has seen a job market increase by 3% in the last year, and the future job growth over the next ten years is predicted to be 44%. 

With over 24,000 new job openings, Raleigh has more than enough job opportunities to choose from. Whether you are interested in opening your first business or want to visit one, small businesses are abundant in Raleigh. There are also plenty of locally owned small farms that sell produce and pumpkins seasonally. 

The job market in Raleigh is booming, with many large companies moving into the area from other cities. The top industries include professional and business services, trade, transportation, utilities, education, health services, government, and leisure and hospitality. In addition, small businesses are the heart and soul of Raleigh. 

Small businesses serve as an ally for minority businesses throughout the community. Raliegh has even created a small business resource guide for anyone interested in starting their own. You can even join Shop Local Raleigh to boost your business, learn about entrepreneurship, or support the community. 

Raleigh takes pride in its local businesses, hidden gems, and free things to do, which contribute to its small-town charm and economic growth. If you want to start your own small business in Raleigh, first, you should check out the small businesses that Raleigh has to offer. 

Keep reading to learn all about the seven best small businesses in Raleigh, NC. 

1. Centro

Hours: 

• Monday - Friday: 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
• Wednesday - Saturday: 5 pm - 10 pm

Address: 106 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA

Owned and operated by Angela Salamanca, Centro has become a staple in the Raleigh community. Since opening over a decade ago, Centro has been known as the place to go for upscale Mexican and Latin American dishes.

As a longtime resident of Raleigh, Angela has made a huge impact by embracing the community and helping others through her restaurant. 

This lively and colorful restaurant is the perfect place to grab a quick bite to eat or sit down for a celebratory meal. The artistic atmosphere gives the place a sense of charm and love that you can't find anywhere else. 

Centro features an expansive selection of tequila, perfect for creative cocktails and margaritas. Make sure you visit this amazing locally sourced Mexican and Latin American restaurant when you visit Raleigh. 

2. Slice Pie Company

Hours:

• Sunday and Monday: Closed
• Tuesday - Saturday: 11 am - 6 pm

Address: 1400 S Saunders St. Raleigh, NC 27603

Slice Pie Company is a father-daughter company that has continuously won awards since formally launching in 2014. As a family-owned business, each pie has originated from a family tradition and hard work.

As the winner of the State Fair Blue Ribbon, Slice Pie Company is extremely popular, so popular that you should place a special order ahead of time to guarantee availability. In addition, you can even ship a pie to anyone across the country so they can taste the deliciousness for themselves. 

You can call ahead to pick up your pie or try your chance as a walk-in. Offering an array of whole pies and slices, Slice Pie Company prides itself on creating the perfect pie for everyone. 

From apple pie to coconut cream pie to dark chocolate truffle pie, the opportunities are endless at Slice Pie Company. 

3. Raleigh Denim Workshop

Hours: 

• Tuesday - Sunday: 12 pm - 6 pm
• Monday: Closed

Address: 319 W Martin St. Raleigh, NC 27601

Founded by Sarah Yarborough and Victor Lytvinenko, Raleigh Denim Workshop is the place to go for high-quality denim in Raleigh. What began as a personal quest to create the perfect pair of jeans has turned into one of the best shops in Raleigh.

Offering everything denim for men and women of any age or size, you can ensure you find the perfect jeans you have been looking for. Raleigh Denim is amazing for many reasons, one being that it started simply as the two founders and a couple of machines. They started out sewing each pair of jeans themselves and signing their work.

Now, they have grown their company so much and have a talented team of jeansmiths. Look for the signature on the front pocket inside your jeans to find out who handmade your pair. 

Raleigh Denim focuses on creating intentional designs in various shades so they will last you years. Stop by for a personal fitting or styling or to check out their wide selection of jeans, shirts, bags, accessories, and more. 

4. Union Special Bread

Hours:

• Sunday - Saturday: 8 am - 3 pm

Address: 2409 Crabtree Blvd Suite 102, Raleigh, NC 27604

Union Special Bread features hand-made bread leavened with natural cultures. Offering a line of croissants and other pastries made with fresh and local ingredients. 

The founders pride themselves on the promise of flaky layers of pastry that you will not be able to find anywhere else. With peach hand pies, snickerdoodles, and tomato jam tarts, the opportunities are endless. 

One of the most popular menu items is their mouthwatering lemon poppyseed coffee cake; you'll have to act fast if you want one because they sell quickly. If you are hungry for more, Union Special serves a delicious egg sandwich with an egg, hash browns, and romesco sauce inside a fluffy bun. 

Named after America's oldest and last industrial sewing machine company, Union Special's roots are grounded in history, nostalgia, and a high work ethic. Additionally, Union Special is committed to supporting fellow local businesses. For example, the flour is sourced from Lindley Mills, a tenth-generation miller from Graham, North Carolina. 

Here, you will not only find the most delicious sweet treats but also support many of Raleigh's amazing small businesses. 

5. DECO Raleigh

Hours: 

• Monday - Saturday: 11 am- 7 pm
• Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm

Address: 207 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Nestled in the heart of downtown Raleigh, DECO Raleigh features thousands of goods from independent makers and artisans. This gift store is one of Raleigh's most prized possessions and is a must-stop whether you are a long-term resident or visitor. 

Featuring home items, books, apothecaries, clothes, crafts, greeting cards, and games, the possibilities for gifts are unmatched. You can even create your own gift box and stuff it full of amazing things for your favorite person. 

Founder Pam Blondin created this one-of-a-kind gift store with the promise of bringing the community together. This is not just an eclectic retail shop but a place for artists to come together and show their art to the world. 

Along with her work with local artists, DECO Raleigh has an exclusive line with the Carolina Hurricanes, Raleigh's professional hockey team. Here, you will find all things Canes, from shirts to ornaments to prints. 

6. Neomonde Mediterranean Deli

Hours:

• Sunday - Saturday: 11 am - 8 pm

Address: 3817 Beryl Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607

Over 40 years ago, four brothers from northern Lebanon immigrated to Raleigh, bringing their family recipe for pita bread that turned into this amazing deli. Neomonde Mediterranean Deli is a local treasure serving traditional and contemporary Lebanese dishes.

Focused on fresh, local, and organic ingredients, every dish is promised to be healthy and delicious. They serve a large selection of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes at an affordable price.

This still family-run restaurant has more than 250 types of bread and multiple locations. Stop by for a quick and convenient bite to eat or dine in for a casual meal with friends and family. Also, check out their website for more information on weekly specials. 

7. A Place at the Table

Hours:

• Tuesday - Sunday: 8 am - 2 pm
• Monday: Closed

Address: 300 W Hargett St #50, Raleigh, NC 27601

A Place at the Table is a restaurant like no other. The owners set out to accomplish their mission in two ways: create Rarleigh's first pay-what-you-can cafe and allow volunteers to gain skills and connections each shift. 

As an average customer, you may never have known this restaurant was a nonprofit. The unique restaurant serves as one of the many places you would eat at any day until the volunteer asks, "Your suggested price is... would you like to pay that price, pay less, pay it forward, or volunteer for your meal?" This groundbreaking idea was created to ensure no one in Raleigh goes hungry and will always have a place to come for a hot meal. 

In addition to its amazing mission, the food is delicious. Serving breakfast and lunch, the menu features sandwiches, soups, pastries, biscuit sandwiches, and more. Essentially, it has everything you could want at whatever price you want.

No matter if you are dining here for the food, experience, or to help the community of Raleigh, it will be an experience like no other. 

Methodology

We used information and data from several different sources, as well as our own data, to determine everything you need to know about the seven best small businesses in Raleigh, NC. Most of the data was sourced from the following sources:

• Raleigh Housing and Neighborhoods
• City of Raleigh

FAQ: Best Small Businesses in Raleigh, NC

Here are some commonly asked questions about the best small businesses in Raleigh, NC.

Is Raleigh, NC, a good place to start a business?

Raleigh ranks as one of the top spots to launch a small business. The city ranks highly in almost every category, including business climate, entrepreneurship, and local economy. 

What big company is coming to Raleigh?

Raleigh is home to several well-known companies. In the coming years, Apply, Microsoft, Advance Auto Parts, and Egnyte will either relocate their headquarters or open satellite offices in the Raleigh area.

Who is the largest employer in Raleigh, NC?

The biggest employers in Raleigh are Duke University and Duke Health Systems, followed by the State of North Carolina, Wake County Public School System, WakeMed Health & Hospitals, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

How many small businesses are there in Raleigh, NC? 

Raleigh is home to over 26,000 small businesses, according to the City's Small Business Development team, which was created in July 2022. From locally owned wineries to clothing boutiques, many different types of small businesses are found all over the city. 

What taxes do small businesses pay in NC?

According to the Tax Foundation, North Carolina has a 2.50 percent corporate income tax rate, a 4.75 percent state sales tax rate, a max local sales tax rate of 2.75 percent, and an average combined state and local sales tax rate of 6.99 percent. 

Best Small Businesses in Raleigh, NC - The Bottom Line

Whether you are interested in visiting one of these awesome small businesses or starting your own, Raleigh is a great place. If you are considering moving to Raleigh, the job opportunities are abundant, from large corporations to mom-and-pop shops. 

Raleigh hosts many small business events where the community can learn more about what they have to offer. Here, you can learn more about the best small businesses or talk to an owner about how to start your own.

No matter where you decide to move to in the Triangle, your family will be surrounded by amenities, great small businesses, and local favorites. Whether you are searching for a single-family home, townhome, condominium, or apartment complex, you are bound to find the perfect home in Raleigh.

Before you buy your next home in the Triangle, feel free to contact one of our helpful real estate specialists, as they are eager to help you find the perfect home. We know that buying a home can be overwhelming, so make sure you are prepared beforehand.