CBRE|Raleigh joins Asana Partners in welcoming Zweli’s to Brightleaf District in Durham, NC. The popular restaurant, known for its Zimbabwean-inspired cuisine, will be relocating from their current location in Oak Creek Village into 3,421 square feet in Brightleaf Square with opening targeted for fall 2023.
Zweli’s was founded by head chef Zwelibanzi Williams (Zweli) in 2016, initially as a local catering business. After gaining popularity with local corporations and on major college campuses, Zweli opened Zweli’s in 2018 at Oak Creek Village in Durham. She has since operated the business alongside her husband, Durham City Councilman Leonardo Williams, delivering unique flavors authentic to Zimbabwean cuisine. Zweli’s has since expanded its Durham footprint with the opening of Zweli’s Café on Duke University’s campus.
Brightleaf District is a dynamic mixed-use destination for dining, shopping and office space that totals over 225,000 square feet. Located on the edge of downtown Durham, its convenient location along W Main Street and with close proximity to downtown Durham and the Duke University campus has made it a destination for downtown Durham visitors and residents as well as Duke University students. Asana Partners recently completed extensive renovations to the exterior at Brightleaf Square that included improving the brick courtyard along the middle of the historic complex, extensive landscaping, outdoor seating, and lighting and façade improvements. CBRE|Raleigh and Asana Partners also recently announced NIKO, Fonda Lupita, and Afters Dessert Bar will open at Brightleaf District this year.
CBRE|Raleigh’s Jon Stanley and Cori Nix represented Asana Partners in the transaction.
