COVID-19 Small Business Webinar Series

Learn tips & strategies on applying for state and federal small business resources. Webinars will be held every Wednesday during the month of April at 3pm with Zoom video conferencing. Click here for more info.

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at 3PM

• H.E.L.P Hospitality Emergency Loan Program

• Speaker: Damian DeStefano, Delaware Division of Small Business

• Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/473149076

• Meeting ID: 473 149 076

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 at 3PM

• SBA Disaster Relief Program for Small Businesses

• Speaker John Fleming, Small Business Administration

• Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/915176488

• Meeting ID: 915 176 488

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 at 3PM

• Services to Assist with Application Documentation

• Speaker: TBD, DE Small Business Development Center

• Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/646763385

• Meeting ID: 646 763 385

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 at 3PM

• How to Restructure Debt

• Speaker: Clinton Tymes, True Access Capital & Women's Business Center

• Login: https://zoom.us/j/507676069

• Meeting ID: 507 676 069

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 at 3PM

• Rent Relief due to Revenue Decreases

• Speaker: Greg Ellis, Patterson-Woos Commercial Properties

• Login: HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/333930183

• Meeting ID: 333 930 183

7 New Businesses Opened in Downtown Wilmington DE Over the Summer!

The past few years on Market street have seen a surge of economic development with the opening of new restaurants, apartment communities, and more. The growth of businesses in Downtown Wilmington, DE has yet to slow down with 7 new establishments opening over this past summer (and 3 more just around the corner). Read up on the newest group of businesses that have chosen to call Wilmington home!

Open For Business

Girard & Faire | 216 W 9th St

Girard & Faire kicked off the summer of development in Downtown Wilmington with not one, but two new establishments. First up, Girard Craft & Cork opened in April bringing an upscale liquor store to Girard Street (hence the name) with a keen focus on domestic and imported wines. Sneak through the back of the shop, and you enter Faire Market & Cafe - a gourmet grocery store and made to order counter serving delicious breakfast and lunch options.

King Creative & Studio Nurture | 727 N Market St

Earlier this summer, co-owners of King Creative, Christopher Bruce and Dan Pierce, launched their newly formed Video Production House with a fully functioning Recording Studio at the corner of 8th and Market streets. This is the first of its kind in Wilmington with both a full-scale video production house and an audio recording studio. Above King Creative is also the brand new Studio Nurture offering yoga and meditation classes.

3 Kings Customs | 7 W 4th St

Offering fully customized products, from t-shirts and apparel to dog tags and coffee mugs, 3 Kings Customs can now be your one stop shop for promotional items just around the corner from Market!

Torbert Street Social | 305 Torbert St

Torbert Street Social, the newest venture by Big Fish Restaurant Group, brings a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant feel to Downtown Wilmington in a refurbished 19th century horse stable. Offering a nostalgic sense of class and history, Torbert Street Social brings together a fusion of elusiveness and complexity, serving only the finest spirits ans cocktails. offers a sophisticated cocktail lounge and patio. If you’re looking to disappear for a delicious bite to eat and a uniquely crafted cocktail, come in and see for yourself.

WHYY-TV | 605 N Market St

WHYY-TV has moved its newsroom from the Seventh and Orange streets location in Wilmington to Market Street! Serving the Philadelphia area, WHYY-TV covers local news and features many programs, including interviews with area politicians, shows from PBS and more, all seeking to inform and educate the community. This move puts the studio at the heart of the art and business scene in the city.

Coming Soon

Makers Alley | 804 N Orange St

Although not quite open just yet, Makers Alley is a brand new bar and restaurant coming soon to Downtown Wilmington - complete with a classic Airstream travel trailer turned food truck. Self-proclaimed as a joint for bites, sips, and outdoor vibes, discovered off the beaten path. We can’t wait to see how they have transformed the 19th-century carpenter’s shop into a 21st-century hangout space!

The Chicken Spot | 204 W 10th St

The Chicken Spot is a brand new eatery taking over the location formerly occupied by Benjamin’s On 10th. The menu will feature different varieties of - you guessed it - chicken. The owner, Venu Gaddamidi, also manages Veritas Wine & Craft Beer and Ciro Food & Drink down on the Riverfront. We are excited to see what his newest venture will bring to Downtown Wilmington!

El Diablo | 837 N Market St

The opening of this hometown favorite on Market Street has been highly anticipated even since their exterior signage went up last winter. Rumor has it that construction is nearing completion, and El Diablo will soon be opening their doors to satisfy lunch-goers with fast-casual Mexican options.

Did You Know Downtown Visions Hosts Merchant Meetings

Get to know the fellow business owners and marketing professionals in Downtown Wilmington. Collaborate on upcoming events, learn from your fellow neighbors and be the first to hear about upcoming positive changes to the vicinity.

Our next merchant meeting is Monday, November 19th, all are welcome to attend.

For more information on how Downtown Visions proudly serves the local business community, click here.

Learn from Successful Entrepreneurs at Delaware Libraries!

Locations:

All the workshops are available simultaneously using their video conferencing system at the six participating libraries:

• Bear Public Library, 101 Governors Pl, Bear, DE 19701

• Dover Public Library, 35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901

• Georgetown Public Library, 123 W. Pine Street, Georgetown, DE 19947

• Milton Public Library, 121 Union St, Milton, DE 19968

• Wilmington Public Library, 10 & Market Streets, Wilmington, DE 19801

• Woodlawn Public Library, 2020 W 9th St, Wilmington, DE 19805

 *There is an anomaly that the October 18 workshop: So, You Want to be an Entrepreneur will not be available at Georgetown and Milton due to a county-wide library staff training session that will close all the Sussex County libraries.

Maintain Your Sanity Through Your Workday!
October 11, 10:30 AM - 12:00 pm 

Take a few deep breaths while you practice some efficient and effective mental hygiene exercises to make the quick mental adjustment that will maintain your sanity through the ups and downs of the typical workday. Identify the state of mind that offers you the power, ease and freedom to be at your best and learn how to make it your default setting. Whether you regularly practice meditation or are a beginner, tips from Mia Muratori, MFA, RTA, Behavioral Dynamics Consultant will help you maintain your meditation muscle to improve your day. 


So, You Want to be an Entrepreneur 
 October 18, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
(Georgetown and Milton Libraries closed)

This introduction to small business ownership is part of the series SCORE at the Inspiration Space to assist aspiring entrepreneurs anticipating the start of a new venture. SCORE volunteer, Tom Ziemianski will test to see if you’re cut out to be an entrepreneur and explore the viability and challenges associated with starting a business.
 

Numbers You Need to Know
October 25, 10:30 AM - 12:00 pm 

Budget, break-even point and cash flow. You have probably heard those terms but may not understand what they mean, why they are important and how to compute them. Knowing these numbers can make the difference between a successful or failing business. Join Jim Whisman of Colonial Financial & Tax Services, LLC to learn why you need to know these numbers to manage your business and get step-by-step instructions for the calculations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Janet Wurtzel.

Transforming Wilmington One Façade at a Time-218 Grille, Residence Inn and 9th Mile Galleria Receive Grants

Within the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District, a block-by-block inventory done by Downtown Visions in 2009 showed that 78% of the buildings would benefit from improved façade treatments. Today, over 66 buildings have been improved, most recently 218 Grille, Residence Inn and the 9th Mile Galleria. 

A walk down Market Street proves that the program has been incredibly successful in the restoration of the once hidden and neglected historic character. Market Street now provides visitors and residents with a charming and welcoming atmosphere thanks to restored buildings and storefronts through Downtown Visions'  Façade Improvement Program and Main Street Program. Downtown Visions staff oversee each individual exterior improvement project from beginning to end as well as provide grants on a matching basis up to $25,000 per façade improvement. For more information on the program and how it could benefit your business or entrepreneurial venture, click here.