South Block, the Washington, D.C. area açaí and smoothie chain, is heading to Raleigh’s North Hills for its first Triangle location, the company announced Thursday. The shop is set to land beside bartaco in North Hills’ main Midtown district and is expected to open in early 2027, bringing another healthy fast-casual option to a stretch that keeps filling its street-level storefronts as new apartments and offices come online.
As reported by The News & Observer, founder Amir Mostafavi said in a press release that South Block is “incredibly excited” about the North Hills debut, noting that developer Kane Realty helped line up the spot. The paper also highlighted that the new shop will sit next to bartaco in the main district and that the planned early 2027 opening fits into a wave of retail moves in the busy Midtown area.
What South Block Is
South Block launched in 2011 and has built its brand around açaí bowls, smoothies, toasts and cold-pressed juices, according to South Block. The company stepped into North Carolina earlier this year with openings in Charlotte, a rollout that sparked a free açaí frenzy as it moved beyond its D.C. base.
Why North Hills
Kane Realty, the developer behind much of North Hills, has been filling ground-floor space with a mix of national and regional concepts as it advances the area’s next phase, according to Kane Realty. Recent Raleigh City Council decisions that allow taller buildings and denser projects in the district have kept demand strong for well-located retail pads, a trend covered by WUNC.
What To Expect
The North Hills shop is expected to follow South Block’s quick-service model, with counter ordering, build-your-own bowls and a menu built for pickups and to-go traffic, similar to the Charlotte locations described in earlier coverage. The company did not list a specific street address for the North Hills space in its announcement, so that detail will likely surface on leasing signs or a formal tenant roster from Kane Realty as construction moves ahead. For the initial announcement and overview of the planned offerings, see The News & Observer.
