Downtown Raleigh’s restaurant scene is continuing to shrink as longtime
businesses say rising costs and declining foot traffic are making it harder to
stay open.

Just this
month, two well-known restaurants — Beasley’s
Chicken & Honey and Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue — announced they are
closing their downtown locations, citing increased expenses and economic
challenges.

As more
businesses leave the area, one local dessert shop is stepping in with a
creative effort to support fellow small businesses.

Inside Simons Says Dip This, customers can
choose from an almost endless combination of flavors and toppings — from
butterscotch and pistachio to cookies and cream and funfetti birthday cake.
Nearly 30 toppings are available, many of them made in-house.

“It’s a
lot because we do everything ourselves,” co-owner Audrey Simons said. “We’re making the
cookies, the chocolates, some of the toppings. A lot of it is a labor of love.”

Audrey
and her husband, Nathan Simons,
opened their first location in downtown Durham in 2021. After finding success
there, they expanded to downtown Raleigh last year. But they say the timing has
been challenging.

“2025
was a very, very difficult year,” Nathan said. “Most people are aware that the
economy has struggled quite a bit.”

The
Simons say they’ve seen firsthand how conditions for small businesses downtown
have changed — and not for the better.

“We
definitely saw a big drop,” Nathan said. “It really pains me to see local
restaurants say, ‘OK, we have to close.’”

Business
owners cite a growing list of pressures, including increased rent, higher
insurance and supply costs, reduced foot traffic, and ongoing parking concerns.
Even staple ingredients are becoming more expensive.

“The
cost of chocolate has gone through the roof,” Audrey said. “We’re doing our
best not to increase our prices. We don’t want to scare anybody. We’re hoping
2026 is going to be a better year for inflation.”

In
response, the Simons launched a campaign aimed at encouraging people to shop
local. Customers who dine at any locally owned restaurant can bring their
receipt into Simons Says Dip This and receive 20% off their purchase.

“We
wanted to get as many people out to locally owned restaurants,” Nathan said.
“What makes the Triangle so unique is the local restaurants.”

The
couple hopes the effort helps raise awareness about the importance of
supporting local businesses before more are forced to close.

“If
these restaurants and shops go away, where are you going to go?” Audrey said.
“We’re the backbone of these cities, and we have to keep them alive.”

Simons
Says Dip This plans to run the campaign for the next three months, with a giveaway at the end of each month for participants.

For any
local businesses that have ideas or want to participate, they are encouraged to
contact Simons Says Dip This.