Main Street Wilmington Grant Helps Urban Fork Bring New Energy to Market Street

Downtown Wilmington’s Market Street continues to welcome exciting new businesses, and Urban Fork, located at 201 N. Market Street, is a great example of how local entrepreneurs are helping bring new energy, investment, and activity to the city’s commercial district.

Downtown Visions, through its Main Street Wilmington program, recently awarded Urban Fork a $12,500 Façade Improvement Grant to help support the restaurant’s interior fit-out and signage. Made possible through the support of Comenity Bank, the investment helped transform a storefront that had been vacant for an extended period into an inviting new downtown dining destination.

Urban Fork is a Black-owned and female-owned business, led by owners Monica Thomas and Mekhi Green. Monica brought the concept to Wilmington after building a following in Philadelphia with Monz Crabby Dip, her catering and food truck business. At Urban Fork, that entrepreneurial spirit has evolved into a full-service restaurant featuring creative comfort food, seafood specialties, cocktails and brunch.

The restaurant has quickly attracted attention both locally and online. Urban Fork has developed a strong social media and marketing presence, with influencers helping introduce the restaurant and its distinctive dishes to new audiences. Out & About Magazine highlighted Urban Fork shortly after its opening, calling attention to menu items including Monz Signature Crabby Dip, lobster deviled eggs, seafood egg rolls and fried catfish po’boys. Delaware Online/The News Journal also featured Urban Fork among Delaware’s notable new restaurant openings.

For Downtown Visions and Main Street Wilmington, Urban Fork represents exactly the kind of small-business investment that can make a meaningful difference downtown: an entrepreneur taking a previously vacant space, investing in it, creating a destination and giving people another reason to visit Market Street.

The grant is part of Main Street Wilmington’s longstanding and successful Façade Improvement Program, and part of MSW’s broader effort to support downtown businesses, improve commercial properties and strengthen the vitality of Wilmington’s central business district.

Urban Fork
201 N. Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware

Visit Urban Fork to learn more about the restaurant, menu and hours.  https://www.eaturbanfork.com/

Main Street Wilmington Earns Prestigious 2026 Main Street America Accreditation

Downtown Visions is proud to announce that Main Street Wilmington has once again been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for 2026 — the highest level of recognition awarded by Main Street America for excellence in downtown revitalization and community development.

This national reaccreditation reflects Downtown Visions’ continued commitment to strengthening Downtown Wilmington through economic development, placemaking, cleanliness and safety initiatives, historic preservation, and support for local businesses and entrepreneurs.

What makes Wilmington especially unique is its scale. Main Street Wilmington is believed to be one of the largest Main Street America programs in the country, encompassing Wilmington’s entire Business Improvement District — approximately 73 square blocks of commerce, culture, dining, residential living, and public spaces.

From outdoor dining activations and small business support programs to seasonal events, marketing initiatives, and streetscape improvements, Downtown Visions continues to help drive momentum and investment throughout Downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

The Main Street America accreditation recognizes programs that demonstrate strong organizational leadership, sustainable operations, inclusive community engagement, and measurable economic impact. Downtown Visions is honored to once again receive this designation and remain part of a nationwide network dedicated to creating vibrant, welcoming, and thriving downtown districts.

Shop Small. Ship Free. Celebrate Wilmington.

This holiday season, Downtown Wilmington is making it easier than ever to support the local businesses we love. Our popular Holiday Free Shipping Program is back—helping shoppers check off their gift lists while helping our downtown retailers reach customers near and far.

How It Works

When you shop at participating Downtown Wilmington businesses, your purchase can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. for free. That means:

• No lines.

• No hassle.

• No extra shipping costs.

• All the joy of shopping local.

Whether you’re sending a one-of-a-kind gift to family across the country or treating a friend right here at home, free shipping makes buying local the easy choice.

Why It Matters

Every dollar spent downtown fuels our community:

• It supports small business owners and their employees.

• It keeps storefronts active and vibrant.

• It strengthens Wilmington’s local economy during the most important retail season of the year.

By choosing downtown, you’re not just giving a gift—you’re giving back.

Where to Shop
Al’s Sporting Goods
Herbert Studios
Huxley & Hiro
LaFate Gallery
Little Huxley
Make & Mellow Custom Candle Bar
Morgan’s of Delaware
Spaceboy Clothing
Town & Shore Handcrafted

Visit DowntownWilmingtonDE.com for more details.

Make This Holiday Count

Skip the big-box chaos. Shop local, ship free, and share the spirit of Wilmington.

Happy Holidays from Downtown Visions!

Main Street Wilmington Earns 2025 Main Street America® Accreditation — Again!

We're thrilled to announce that Main Street Wilmington, a division of Downtown Visions, has once again been designated as a Main Street America® Accredited Program — the highest national recognition awarded by Main Street America. This prestigious accreditation affirms our team’s deep commitment to preserving and revitalizing the heart of Wilmington through inclusive leadership, smart investment, and community-powered momentum.

As part of a network of over 800 Accredited programs nationwide, Main Street Wilmington is proud to stand among the best in the country when it comes to building vibrant downtowns. To earn this status, programs must meet rigorous standards in six core areas — from organizational sustainability to real-world impact — and we’re honored to have exceeded expectations.

Why This Matters

Main Street America represents a movement with over four decades of success in transforming historic downtowns into thriving economic and cultural hubs. In 2024 alone, Main Street programs nationwide spurred:

• $7.65 billion in local reinvestment

• 6,324 new businesses opened

• 33,835 jobs created

• Over 10,000 historic buildings rehabilitated

Here in Wilmington, the past year has been one of exciting growth:

• We supported over [15] new business openings in our Downtown district.

• Our team and volunteers contributed more than [2,000 hours] toward neighborhood beautification and small business outreach.

• We hosted over [20] community events — from the beloved Downtown Farmers Market to the festive Wilmington Holiday Parade — each one helping to draw residents and visitors into our vibrant commercial corridors.

“Accreditation is more than a badge — it’s proof that Main Street Wilmington is making a measurable difference,” said Lani Schweiger, Director of Main Street Wilmington. “Our team, board, partners, and volunteers work tirelessly to keep downtown clean, safe, inviting, and economically strong. We're proud to be part of a national movement that values historic preservation, community inclusion, and long-term sustainability.”

What’s Next?

We're not slowing down. Main Street Wilmington is continuing to build momentum in 2025 with new façade improvement grants, expanded programming, and stronger partnerships with local businesses and residents.

Thank you to everyone who helps us keep Downtown Wilmington moving forward — your support is what makes this possible. Help us continue this important work by contributing today at Downtown Wilm DE - Donate!

Let’s keep growing together.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR!

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