So, let's start this off with some good news. And if you know me by now, of course, it's food related.

Fayetteville is expected to get its first Rise Biscuits Donuts. The chain offers a variety of creative biscuit meals — from fried eggplant to a Cubano — and doughnuts including apple fritter, pineapple basil and M&Ms with vanilla frosting.

The shop will be inside the All American Plaza at 1391 Walter Reed Road, next to Zaxby's.

Pavan Patel, chief operating officer for Willow Group Investments, said he hopes to open Rise before the end of June.

"It's such a unique concept, and the quality of the food is top notch," he said. "They have wonderful doughnuts that melt in your mouth. We wanted to bring something of more flavor to the town. It's an awesome franchise to be a part of."

Patel visited Rise for the first time in Durham last year. One taste of a biscuit with honey prompted him to contact the chain about bringing a location to the area.

I visited the location in Morrisville a few months ago. I had a pimento cheese biscuit with ham and a Cheerwine icing doughnut. Let's just say Patel isn't overselling Rise, which also has locations in Raleigh, Carrboro, Holly Springs and Charlotte. The first Rise location opened in Durham in 2012. The stores are usually open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Fayetteville can't seem to get enough doughnuts with Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts, Dunkin' Donuts and others in the area.

Bringing Rise to the city will offer something else unique for Fayetteville.

"Part of the brand is to have some biscuits tailored specifically to Cumberland County and Fayetteville that you would only be able to get here," he said.

On Friday, the small shopping center on Walter Reed Road was still under construction. Patel said incoming tenants are Tropical Smoothie Cafe and possibly the sandwich shop Jimmy John's. The smoothie cafe, under Patel's investment group, has a location on Andrews Road in the shopping center with Food Lion and will have a third location in Traemoor Village at 3007 Town Center Drive.

The cafes, promising healthy smoothies and fresh meals, will be managed by Aatrey Patel, who oversees the cafe in the northern part of Fayetteville.





Kmart's last day is...

Sunday.

The chain retailer at 1931 Skibo Road will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. before closing its doors for the final time. The store has been offering discounts and deals since Sears Holding Corp. announced in January it would close 150 Kmart and Sears stores this year.

Of the 150 stores that are closing, 108 are Kmarts and 42 are Sears.

Additionally, the corporation plans to close Kmart stores in Concord, Goldsboro, Madison and Wilmington. The Sears at Cross Creek Mall and other locations across the state aren't part of the widespread closures.

It's unknown what will take Kmart's place, which was housed in a 108,000-square-foot space next to Lowe's.

One more thing...

Cook Out and its fresh shakes and chargrilled burgers — and meal trays — is coming to Spring Lake. It will be near Skyland Plaza off Lillington Highway.

Jamie Tilley, chief marketing officer and chief technology officer for Cook Out Restaurants, said he visited the location Tuesday.

"Things are moving along nicely," he said in an email Wednesday.

There's no concrete opening date, but we'll keep you posted.

See something, have tips, questions or comments for Retail Therapy? Send it to retailtherapy@fayobserver.com or contact staff writer Alicia Banks at banksa@fayobserver.com or 486-2728.