Lani Schweiger
The Downtown Wilmington App

Downtown Visions released the Downtown Wilmington App, a one stop shop for all the happenings in Downtown Wilmington, DE.

The Downtown Wilmington App
Lani Schweiger
Community Highlight: Christina Cultural Arts ...

In this month’s blog, we are highlighting the Christina Cultural Arts Center Inc. Executive Director, James “Ray” Rhodes discusses the history of the Christina Cultural Arts Center and its importance to our community.

Community Highlight: Christina Cultural Arts Center

Downtown Wilmington de merchants

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Back By Popular Demand: Dine Downtown Deal & Free Shipping Promotion!

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Dine Downtown Deal 2.0 Wilmington DE

We all know that 2020 was incredibly challenging for our small businesses, and this year is proving to be no different. In order to help them weather this ongoing storm, the Dine Downtown Deal and the Free Shipping Promotion have both been renewed!

Our small businesses, and their employees, are relying on your patronage to remain open during this increasingly difficult time. They have continued to adapt to the everchanging guidelines in order to keep serving their community. Most businesses are now offering online ordering, free delivery, and curbside pickup.

We urge you to #ShopSmall and #SupportLocal in Downtown Wilmington DE.

Dine Downtown Deal

Support Downtown Wilmington DE eateries and you’ll get rewarded! Dine-in or take out 5x between 1/1/21 and 3/31/21, text your receipts to 302-502-6003, and you’ll receive a gift card in the amount of 20% of the total meals purchased (before tip) to the business of your choice in the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District (BID)! You may still participate in DDD 2.0 even if you received a gift card from phase 1 one the program. For more details, click the link below.

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Free Shipping Promotion

Shop small with the click of a button! Please support Downtown Wilmington DE retailers during this time of crisis. Some of your favorite businesses are even offering FREE shipping for all online purchases. Simply shop online at the following local businesses between 1/1/21 and 3/31/21, and they’ll ship your purchases anywhere within the United States for free:

Every small purchase makes a big difference - now more than ever!

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Signs of Progress in Downtown Wilmington DE

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It’s no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for small business owners across the nation. Between the pandemic shutdown and civil unrest, local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges. While some have sadly been forced to close their doors for good, many have overcome these obstacles by adjusting their business models to provide even more online options for customers.

In Downtown Wilmington DE, not only have our favorite small businesses reopened, but we are pleased to welcome several new businesses to the neighborhood as well!

Grand Openings

Milk & Honey | 239 N Market St

Milk & Honey Wilmington DE Market St

Milk & Honey will open its 2nd cafe & gallery in Wilmington on Market Street in the space formerly occupied by LOMA Coffee. The doors are set to open sometime in October!

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli | 1204 N Washington St

RosenFeld's Wilmington DE

Rosenfeld's, a traditional, kosher-style deli, is set to open its 4th location on September 30th in Downtown Wilmington next to Washington Street Ale House!

Dorcea | 1314 N Washington St

Dorcea Wilmington DE

Dorcea, an inviting American bistro with lots of local beers on tap, opened in the former Domain Hudson space in April in the middle of the pandemic. They use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere for dining on Washington Street!

101 dupont place | 101 W 10th St

101 dupont place wilmington DE

Live in an icon! 101 dupont place apartments draws from the elegance of yesterday paired with the conveniences of today to create the first luxury living experience within the iconic Dupont Building in downtown Wilmington, DE.

Le Cavalier at the Green Room | 42 W 11th St

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Influenced by the flavors of North Africa and Provençe, Le Cavalier is a neo-brasserie inside the Hotel Du Pont offering thoughtfully sourced French classics and inventive riffs on French staples paired with natural wines designed to complement the fare.

Rodney Square Renovation | 1000 N Market St

Rodney Square Wilmington DE

It's been one year since shovels were put to dirt and the start of the Rodney Square's renovation truly began. Not only is the fountain operational, but there's also new grass, new lighting in place, and new, replanted flower beds around the Square. There's still more to come, but we're excited about the changes we've seen.

Grand Re-Openings

DECO Food Hall | 111 W 10th St

DECO Food Hall Wilmington DE

After being closed since March, DECO food hall finally reopened for indoor/outdoor dining on September 14th. In response to the pandemic, the food hall also introduced new “DECO On The Go” offerings, including all-in-one take-out and delivery.

Academy for Peace | 203 N Market St

Academy for Peace - Wilmington DE

On August 22, Dr. Jay celebrated the reopening of the Academy for Peace and the residency of local artist 7God. His art is dedicated to mental health awareness and on display for all to see at 203 N. Market Street!

Convenient Store | 201 W 9th St

Convenient Store - Wilmington DE

After being closed for months, owner Sam Patel reopened the Convenient Store on August 21 with a number of renovations. The Convenient Store keeps the neighborhood happy, selling snack foods, candy, beverages and other goods. It’s also a Delaware State Lottery Retailer, Sports Lottery retailer, and Keno Lottery.

Al’s Sporting Goods | 200 N Market St

Al's Sporting Goods - Wilmington De

Al’s Sporting Goods has been a part of the Downtown Wilmington community for 85 years. Despite heavy looting during the protests, Al’s remained committed to the community and reopened on July 20th with unwavering support from customers. See Al’s first for all your athletic and fashion needs in Downtown Wilmington.

The Queen | 500 N Market St

The Queen Wilmington DE

The Queen Theater reopened on June 24th with enhancements and a renewed focus on local entertainment. The brand new Knight’s Bar and terrace, located just off the main entrance, offers live, local music every Wednesday through Saturday night.

We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. Now more than ever before, we need to help our small businesses get through this time of crisis. Please help our support these businesses, and their staff, by:

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Best of Delaware 2020: Downtown Wilmington Winners!

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It’s that time of year again! Delaware Today has announced its annual Best of Delaware winners. Readers and editors throughout the state have nominated and voted for their favorite Delaware Businesses, and over 18 establishments in our very own Downtown Wilmington community have won!

So please join us in congratulating these well-deserving businesses! It’s no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for the small business owners here in Downtown Wilmington, but with support from their loyal customers, they can and will survive this storm. The magazine said it best: “As the world opens back up and we ease into new habits, your support for the work of our Best of Delaware winners and their peers will be more important than ever.”

Celebrate these winners during the 2020 Best of Delaware Week, July 23–Aug. 1, and support their hard work by visiting their in-store location, ordering take out, or purchasing a gift card!

Reader’s Choice

Editor’s Picks

Riverfront Winners

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Get Back to Business: Resources for Assistance

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Two new funding opportunities were created to help Downtown Wilmington DE establishments get back to business after the past few months.

Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP)

The Delaware Department of Justice created the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program for businesses that were damaged or vandalized following the peaceful demonstrations. VCAP can assist Delawareans with crime scene cleanups (up to $1,000) and personal safety property (up to $1,500).  If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call VCAP at (302) 255-1770.

The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund

To support small businesses citywide that are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, Barclays US Consumer Bank, Cornerstone West, and Wilmington Alliance are announced The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund. Through a public-private partnership, local economic development organizations have joined forces to ensure Wilmington businesses will remain open for years to come.

The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund will offer grants of approximately $1,000 to small businesses located in the City of Wilmington to cover specific expenses such as rent payments, mortgage payments, utility and supplier bills. The fund will not only build the capacity of small businesses to recover from the impact of COVID-19, but also build out a community-driven network to serve Wilmington’s favorite shops, restaurants, stores and cafes citywide.

The first round of applications are being accepted through midnight tonight (6/8/2020), with additional rounds to follow shortly after. The application is available in English and Spanish. For questions or more information, please email GLantieri@westsidegrows.org.

The Wilmington Strong Fund is also accepting individual donations. If you would like to support our Downtown Business community, please click the link below.

Image Credit: Moonloop Photography

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Wright & Simon Celebrates 85th Anniversary!

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Wright&Simon

In March, Wright & Simon celebrated their 85th Anniversary! Though the celebration did not go as planned due to the corornavirus pandemic, friends from the Wilmington Police Downtown & Riverfront Unit still found a way to honor this incredible milestone by presenting the owner, Len Simon, with this plaque.

J. Louis Simon, Morris M. Simon, and James H. Wright founded the store in 1935 at 109 West Ninth Street before moving to their new store at the present location of 911 North Market Street.

Through the years, Wright & Simon has maintained the maximum standards of quality, character, and fitting. They look forward to continuing to serve their loyal patrons and also to give new generations of patrons the pleasant surprise of learning a new concept of satisfaction in clothing purchases, available only where quality, character, and perfect fitting come together.

Having shifted from selling off the rack to offering ‘made to measure’ wears, Wright & Simon has withstood the test of time on Market Street. With a legacy like this, nothing is going to prevent Simon from keeping the tradition alive, not event COVID-19.

After 85 years in business, Simon is eager to get back to business serving his loyal customers. "I'm ready to go!" said Simon to ABC News after learning of Carney’s plan to ease restrictions on businesses. "When I first got the news I was somewhat re-energized and feel good about it. It's a start." (Read the full story here.)

CBS Philly also interviewed Simon regarding business during the health crisis, but as the story noted, “no one is dabbling in double-breasted blazers” right now.

Come June 1st, Simon will be ready to open his doors and provide finely crafted men’s clothing once again and our Downtown community will be there to support him. Please join us in congratulating Wright & Simon on the momentous occasion and continue to #ShopSmall now and always!

Learn more about the history of the business and the “Simon Legacy” on their website wrightandsimon.com.