Sam Jones BBQ will open its second location in downtown Raleigh; this time as a food stall at Morgan Street Food Hall in the Warehouse District.
The award-winning eastern North Carolina barbecue restaurant aims to open this new location called Sam Jones BBQ Pit Stop by the end of the year, the business announced. This will be the third location of Sam Jones BBQ, which specializes in whole hogs cooked over wood and served with a vinegar sauce, which is the traditional style in eastern North Carolina.
Sam Jones is a fourth-generation barbecue man from Ayden. Jones’ grandfather, the late Pete Jones, opened Skylight Inn in 1947 in Ayden. Sam Jones went on to open restaurants under his own name; the first one in Greenville in 2015 and the second on West Lenoir Street in Raleigh in 2021. The new location will be less than a mile from the original Raleigh location.
Longtime Raleigh businessman Niall Hanley is the visionary behind Morgan Street Food Hall, which opened in 2018. His company, Hibernian Hospitality Group, owns and operates more than 20 restaurants, bars and beer gardens in Raleigh and Charlotte, including the Hibernian Irish Pubs, Raleigh and Charlotte Beer Gardens, Watts & Ward and many more. The food hall features more than 15 food stalls and bars, including Gym Tacos, Cowbar Burger & Fries, Aunt Betty’s Gin & Absinthe Bar and more.
“Niall and I have known each other for years. He approached me about opening a spot at the food hall and was very flexible and easy to work with,” Jones said. “The Morgan Street Food Hall is a walkable destination in downtown Raleigh. Our Raleigh location is a short distance away but may not be as convenient if you want to walk. We’re able to offer that same quality food that represents our region in a setting that isn’t your typical food hall offering.”
“Sam Jones is the real deal,” Hanley dded. “Fourth generation, whole hog over wood. The same barbecue his family has been cooking in Ayden since 1947. Having him in Morgan Street Food Hall is a big deal for us and for anyone who cares about North Carolina food. We’re delighted.”
Sam Jones BBQ has earned national recognition and acclaim, including a Bib Gourmand designation in the inaugural edition of the MICHELIN Guide to the American South. Southern Living magazine also has repeatedly named Sam Jones BBQ one of the best BBQ restaurants in the South.
The Sam Jones BBQ Pit Stop at Morgan Street Food Hall will offer a more limited food and drink menu. More details to come closer to opening. The food hall is located at 411 W. Morgan St., Raleigh. For more information and updates, visit samjonesbbq.com/pit-stop.
NC East Alliance leadership transitions
NC East Alliance has announced a leadership transition designed to build on the organization’s strong foundation and strengthen its impact across eastern North Carolina, according to a news release from the organization.
Frank “Trip” Belote will become president and CEO, while Vann Rogerson will become CEO emeritus and continue supporting the organization’s leadership team by focusing on fundraising and special projects.
The transition comes as NC East Alliance continues to expand its work connecting employers, educators, workforce partners and communities across its 29-county region, the release said.
“Trip and I have had many conversations about how we can take our private nonprofit to the next level,” Rogerson said. “We believe that our new operational teamwork within NC East will result in continued growth and advancement of our region. I am proud of our ongoing accomplishments and I look forward to supporting our new president/CEO and the board.”
Rogerson, who has led NC East Alliance through a period of growth and expanded regional engagement, said the transition reflects a shared effort to position the organization for its next phase.
“The board believes Trip is the right leader for NC East at this important point in the organization’s growth,” said Jerry Jones, chairman of the Alliance board of directors. “He understands eastern North Carolina, has built strong relationships throughout the region and brings a combination of economic development experience, research expertise and private-sector leadership that will serve NC East well. Just as importantly, this transition allows us to retain Vann’s experience and relationships as we build on the strong foundation he has helped create.”
Belote will lead the organization in its work connecting employers, educators, community colleges and regional partners to build stronger career pathways, connect talent to opportunity and help communities and industries make informed decisions about the future, the release said.
“NC East Alliance has an important role to play in the future of eastern North Carolina,” Belote said. “Our focus is on building on the strong work already underway, strengthening the connections across our region and continuing to find meaningful ways to create opportunity and support growth.”
The leadership transition positions NC East Alliance to build on its existing momentum while expanding its capacity to serve eastern North Carolina and respond to emerging opportunities across the region, according to the release.
Belote has served as executive vice president of NC East Alliance and founding executive director of the NC East Applied Research Institute, where he has helped advance the organization’s data-driven approach to workforce development and regional prosperity.
He holds a Ph.D. in adult education and workforce development from North Carolina State University, a master of public administration from Auburn University at Montgomery and a bachelor’s degree in government from Campbell University. He was certified as an economic developer (CEcD) in 1995.
Baise elected to AONL board
ECU Health has announced that Trish Baise, chief nursing executive, has been elected to the American Organization for Nursing Leadership Board of Directors. Baise will serve a three-year term as the AONL director-at-large beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
“I am truly honored and grateful to have been elected to serve as AONL director-at-large,” Baise said. “This is an exciting opportunity to serve our nurse leader community, strengthen the voice of nursing leadership and help shape the future of our profession. It is also an opportunity to represent ECU Health and share perspective on rural healthcare with nursing leaders across the nation. I am grateful for the trust of my fellow members and look forward to serving alongside my colleagues in this important endeavor.”
AONL represents 12,500 nurse leaders nationwide and serves as the leading voice of nursing leadership. Through innovative, competency-based education and professional development opportunities, AONL equips nurse leaders with the skills needed to advance patient care and strengthen healthcare organizations. The organization also advocates at the national level to ensure the perspectives and priorities of nurse leaders are reflected in public policy decisions affecting nursing practice and patient outcomes.
Baise joined ECU Health in 2023 and is a respected nursing executive with extensive experience leading nursing and healthcare operations across complex organizations, according to a news release from ECU Health. As chief nursing executive, she oversees all nursing functions across the health system and has championed initiatives focused on workforce development, leadership advancement, professional practice, employee engagement and clinical excellence. Under her leadership, ECU Health has strengthened academic-practice partnerships, expanded residency and professional development opportunities and advanced strategies that support recruitment, engagement and the long-term growth of the nursing workforce.
“Trish is a visionary leader, a passionate advocate for nurses and an exceptional representative for ECU Health,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer of ECU Health. “Her appointment to the AONL Board of Directors is a testament to the expertise, dedication and collaborative spirit she brings to our organization every day. We are proud to see her leadership recognized on a national stage and know she will make a meaningful impact on the future of nursing leadership.”
Dining and Cooking