Chelsea Tavern Turns 10!

Please join us in wishing Chelsea Tavern a happy birthday on Saturday, March 14th, as the restaurant celebrates its 10th year on Market Street!

Head to Chelsea Tavern for its 10th-anniversary celebration on Saturday, March 14th! The festivities will include live entertainment, $10 food specials, $5 drink specials, and so much more. Past employees are even invited to take advantage of their employee discount for a final time.

Over the past 10 years, Chelsea Tavern has been the literal and figurative heart of Market Street for residents and visitors alike. Whether its been a bite to eat before a show at The Grand Opera House, a late night drink at the bar, or a savory Sunday brunch, Chelsea Tavern has continued to satisfy hungry restaurant-goers with its extensive beer menu and interpretive comfort food. As a 3-time winner of the Delaware Burger Battle, diners have come to expect delicious burgers paired with perfection to one of the 31 beers on tap at Chelsea until the wee hours of the morning.

At the beginning of the year, Chelsea Tavern also announced an enhanced event calendar in honor of the anniversary - and the restaurant stayed true to its promise. The upcoming calendar is jampacked with events, such as: 

• Brewery of the Month Pairing Dinners – Next up Dogfish Head on Thursday, March 26th

• March Draftness - Discount draft beers during all Men’s NCAA basketball games.

• Monthly Cigar Dinners – May through September, 2020

• Cinco de Mayo Block Party - Date TBD

• Downtown Brew Fest – Saturday, August 9th, 2020

• Weekly Geeks Who Drink Trivia & Flight Club on Tuesday Nights

In addition to ramping up the events calendar, Chelsea Tavern underwent a number of renovations this past year to prepare for the momentous occasion. The new and improved Chelsea Tavern features updated flooring, wall coverings, and lighting within the dining room. The bar also got a refresh with a new bar top equipped with USB outlets for smartphones. Additionally, overlooking the new outdoor plaza next door is the best covered outdoor seating area downtown, with new patio furniture and upgraded landscaping.

See the renovations for yourself and stop in to wish Chelsea Tavern a happy anniversary this month!

13 Downtown Businesses Announced as Delaware Reader's Choice Recipients!

The public has spoken and the residents of the State of Delaware are loving Downtown Wilmington and the fine establishments there!

Delaware Online just released their 2017 Reader's Choice winners and finalists and a whopping 13 were from the downtown area. Join us in congratulating the winners showcasing these favorite places, businesses, things to do and more in Wilmington, Delaware.

Winners from the Downtown Area:

The Grand Opera House – winner & finalist

AR Morris – finalist

Domaine Hudson Wine Bar – winner

Ninth Street Book Store- finalist

Brew Haha-winner

UDairy Creamery - winner

YMCA-winner

Queen Theatre - finalist

Mikimotos – winner & finalist

WSFS – winner
 

Food Truck Winners: (They are at our Farmer’s Market)
Kapow - winner
 I Don't Give A Fork - finalist

Downtown Business Spotlight, Dave Bart, of Jerry's Artarama

Dave Bart is pictured in orange on the right, with his incredible team. 

If Dave Bart is not pricing stock when a customer walks into Jerry’s Artarama then he could be unloading trucks or hosting a local art event. The 54-year-old store manager describes himself as an octopus that reaches out beyond the discount art-supply store.

Besides donating easels, brushes or frames to the Creative Vision Factory, which provides therapy through art, the shop hosts or helps advertise local festivals, events, and programs, like the People’s Festival, the Unity Rally at the Jewish Community Center, and Wilmington’s monthly Art Loop.

“We are growing and will continue to grow as the city matures,” said the University of Delaware graduate, who grew up in the state. “I was here before the Blue Rocks Stadium was built and before the Riverfront transformed from oil tanks and brown fields.’’

In 2013 Jerry’s Artarama opened on Market Street. It is part of a specialty art-supply chain founded in 1968 by Jerry Goldstein. There are sixteen stores nationwide. The Delaware location is the only art-supply store in the downtown area. Its customers range from beginners to well known artists. A portion of the shop’s business comes from the sale of art kits to Delaware College of Art and Design students.

Art students and professional artists work at Jerry’s. Donna Cusano, 51, an award-winning artist and Jerry’s assistant manager, says she uses her skills on the job every day. If a customer is not sure which paintbrush to buy, she is there to help. “It depends on what the customer’s goals and priorities are,” said Cusano.

The store is open seven days a week. It offers live and online demonstrations and promotions as well as professional framing and shipping. “If we promise you something, we’ll give it to you,” said Bart. “If we don’t have it we’ll order it.”

Follow Jerry's Artarama on Facebook

By Adriana Camacho-Church ACCpen1@gmail.com

Downtown Visions Contributing Writer