RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Some restaurateurs were surprised to see an uptick in sales this summer, which is typically a slow time of year, and its fueling projects around the City of Oaks.

"It seems like people are dining out maybe more than they were in years past," said Flour and Barrell Owner Anthony Rapillo. "We have a lot of faith in the City of Raleigh and the Triangle overall that people here are going to spend"

Rapillo said he was bracing for a tough summer with people traveling to the beach or mountains, but numbers were good as Wake County's population continues to soar.

"There are so many new people coming here," he said. "People kind of look for new places to come out to eat."

Rapillo's getting ready to open three new spots on Downtown Raleigh's Fayetteville Street, another

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