I pretty much grew up Downtown in my family’s furniture business (H. Feinberg’s). My parents worked 6 days per week, including Friday nights. So, in the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s when I was done with school and afterschool activities, I often found myself in the store. But I wasn’t just in the store – I was in the neighborhood that was Downtown. I often ate dinner at the counter at the Federal Bake Shop, where Francis and her sister would feed me and watch over me while my folks were working. I made my rounds to visit with people that were first my grandparents’ and parents’ friends and just like family, but then became mine – the Simons at Wright & Simon, the Morris’ at A.R. Morris Jewelers, the Glicks at Foley Jewelers, the Jacobs at Lucille’s, the Harts at Al’s Sporting Goods, the Braunsteins, the Govatos’, and the Millers at Millers Furniture, among many others. Many of these people are still my friends today,
All of this happened because my grandfather, William Feinberg, famously made a decision in 1965 that renowned Delaware journalist Bill Frank would famously recount in a 1976 News Journal article entitled “The man who believed in downtown” that I still have framed in my home.
Many do not know that in the 1960’s, Wilmington was seen as being in decline. Mr. Frank discussed what would come to be known as the “Market Street Decision”, where my grandfather, despite being heavily recruited and incentivized, and unlike so many other Downtown merchants, chose to relocate his business to Market Street from King Street rather than to the suburbs and the new phenomenon of suburban malls. He was quoted by Mr. Frank as saying “After all, how can I leave the city where I was born (at 6th and Poplar Sts.), and the city where my father started the furniture business (at 301 W. 2nd St.) back in 1901?” This was rightly perceived as a victory for the vitality of Downtown Wilmington. I have always been immensely proud of him for putting his money where his mouth was and betting his and my family’s livelihood on Wilmington, and that in large part explains my passion for this city and the Downtown district.
Many people in Wilmington during the latter part of the 20th century used to talk about whether Wilmington’s business district would ever come back. We really don’t have that conversation anymore. Through the vision and perseverance of many, Wilmington is back - re-envisioned, strong, and thriving. Despite the pandemic, new businesses continued to open in 2020 and 2021, many of them Black and/or Female owned including:
Amity Bistro | 209 N. Market St
ApeXX Bar & Grill | 921 Orange St.
Circa7 | 205 W. 14th St.
Currie Salon | 111 W. 10th St.
Curve Nutrition | 113 W. 8th St.
DE Slider Co. | 204 W. 10th St.
Dorcea | 1314 Washington St.
Humble Fabrics | 306 N. Shipley St.
Le Cavalier at the Green Room | Hotel DuPont
Lux Smoke | 710 N. Market St.
Milk & Honey Cafe | 239 N. Market St.
MKT The Cooper | 212 N. Market St.
Nail’d by Londyn | 231 N. Market St.
Rosenfeld’s Deli | 1204 N. Washington St.
Savoy Gourmet Food | 909 N. Orange St.
Tasties 302 | 825 N. Market St.
The Sold Firm | 800 N. Tatnall St.
Town & Shore Handcrafted | 221 N. Market St.
Wilma’s | 902 N. Market St.
101 Dupont Place | 1007 N. Market St.
And there is an impressive list of exciting things coming soon to Downtown Wilmington including:
Bardea Steak | 608 N. Market St.
Boutique Hotel | 519 N. Market St.
Crosby Hill Apts. | 517 Shipley St.
Saville Apts. | 512 King St.
Westover Apts. | 901 Market St.
To this day I still look to shop small and local, and now maybe you understand why. Nothing against the larger stores or Amazon, but I like to shop where I know it makes a difference. This is by no means a one-way street – I also get personal service and get to visit with some of my old friends and make new ones. While the pandemic has certainly taken its toll, growth and renewal is still the path, due to the perseverance of our businesses and so many of you finding ways to adapt and support them. With the appearance of Omicron this winter, crunch time is here again to support our local businesses as safely as possible. Please do what you can to safely support our Downtown community and eat in, get curbside or takeout, drink, shop in-store and online, attend shows, stay overnight, purchase gift cards, tip generously, support our nonprofits and make donations. It will make a huge difference for each and every one of these neighborhood businesses. At the same time, do yourself a favor – you won’t be disappointed!
Norm Pernick
Senior Advisor
Downtown Visions
