Cameron Village

Cameron Village holds the distinction of being Raleigh, North Carolina's first planned community, with development beginning in 1947 when J.W. York and R.A. Bryan purchased 158 acres of undeveloped land just two miles west of downtown Raleigh, near the North Carolina State University campus. Designed to be a vibrant "village," it originally featured a shopping center, apartments, and single-family homes. The shopping center opened in 1949, quickly establishing itself as Raleigh's premier shopping destination and one of the first shopping centers built between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. Unlike a typical strip mall, Cameron Village's open-air shopping center is divided into blocks, with some stores occupying two levels. While several parking decks were constructed in the 1960s, most were removed during renovations to create a more open and inviting atmosphere.

By 1950, Cameron Village had expanded rapidly, boasting 65 stores, a movie theater, over 600 homes and apartments, and more than 100 business and professional offices. As consumers flocked to the convenience of Cameron Village, downtown Raleigh began to experience a decline in business.

In the 1970s, “The Village Subway” opened below the current locations of The Fresh Market and the library, featuring popular restaurants and nightclubs like The Frog and Nightgown, The Pier, and Cafe Déjà vu. Unfortunately, this underground hub was short-lived, with most establishments closing by the 1980s.

Today, Cameron Village remains a premier business location, anchored by notable retailers such as The Fresh Market, Harris Teeter, Rite Aid, Ann Taylor, and a Wake County Public Library branch. The shopping center has undergone several expansions and renovations, including a major redesign in the mid-1980s and again in the early 2000s. Now, Cameron Village boasts over 100 distinctive stores, including a variety of restaurants like The Flying Biscuit Cafe, unique boutiques such as Genealogy Formals, and the world's only two-story Chick-fil-A, ensuring it continues to be a beloved destination for both locals and visitors.