Tobacco Road Sports Café has quietly gone dark on Glenwood South in downtown Raleigh, according to the restaurant's social feed and local coverage. With the Powerhouse building spot now shuttered, the chain’s Durham outpost is the only Triangle location still listed on the company's website.
WRAL reported that the Glenwood South location closed late Friday, noting a short message from the operators and no details about what might come next for the space.
Owners Tease 'Exciting New Things' With No Details
On the restaurant's official Facebook page, the owners posted that "exciting new things are coming soon," but did not say what that means in practice. The brief note skipped any mention of whether the Glenwood South space will be remodeled, sold, or repurposed, and there was no formal press release or roadmap attached. The post is visible on the restaurant's Facebook page.
Owner's Embezzlement Case Still in the Background
The chain's president, Raed Abdel Karim Amra, pleaded guilty in July 2025 to embezzling about $1.7 million in North Carolina sales tax, according to a press release from the North Carolina Department of Revenue. The department stated that Amra received suspended prison terms, was ordered to serve 150 days in custody in 30-day intervals, placed on house arrest for the first 12 months of supervised probation, and required to repay the remaining restitution after an initial $1 million payment.
Durham Location Still in the Game
For now, the company website still lists its Durham restaurant on the American Tobacco Campus with regular hours and contact information. The Durham spot appears to be open and operating, according to the restaurant's Durham page.
Another Plot Twist in Downtown's Ongoing Shuffle
The Glenwood South exit drops into a longer list of downtown shakeups that have reshaped the strip in recent years, with other tenants cycling out and new concepts moving in. Local reporting has flagged lease expirations, shifting foot traffic, and rising operating costs as key pressures behind that churn, according to Raleigh Magazine.
The latest Facebook note from Tobacco Road offers no timetable for any type of return and no explanation for the decision to close. For now, the Jones Street space sits quiet, while neighbors and would-be tenants keep an eye out for leasing signs, permit filings, or any clue about what will take over the high-profile corner.
