Downtown Visions Holiday Small Business Initiatives

Downtown Holiday Market at DE.CO

Downtown Visions is partnering with DE.CO to bring a Holiday Market to Downtown Wilmington. The Market will run Saturday, November 26, December 3, 10 & 17 from 11am-4pm.

Patrons can expect small business vendors, DE.CO food vendors, Holiday music and window displays, entertainment, appearances from Santa and kids’ characters, face painting and more!

Free Shipping

From 10/1/22 – 12/31/22, shop online with select Downtown Wilmington, DE retailers this Holiday season and receive free shipping anywhere in the U.S., courtesy of Downtown Visions. 

Participating Downtown Retailers:
Shoe Tech Shoe Repair

Spaceboy Clothing

Three Kings Kustoms

Town & Shore Handcrafted

Al’s Sporting Goods

LaFate Gallery

Morgan’s of Delaware

Poppycock Tattoo

12 Days of Christmas

Downtown Visions encourages residents, visitors, and workers to #ShopSmall this Holiday season. From 12/1/22 – 12/12/22, many Downtown small businesses will be offering discounts and specials on unique gifts.  For more information visit wilmingtonmade.com.

Downtown Wilmington App

Recently, Downtown Visions released the Downtown Wilmington App, a one-stop shop for almost everything about Downtown Wilmington, DE. The App was created for Downtown residents, workers, and visitors to highlight dining, entertainment, events, information, parking, shopping and more in Downtown Wilmington, DE.  

To download the App search Downtown Wilm DE in the App Store or Google Play.

Downtown Visions is the non-profit management company for Wilmington, DE’s Downtown Business Improvement District.  Its mission is to create, manage and promote a quality environment for people who live, work and visit Downtown Wilmington.  For more information visit downtownwilmingtonde.com.

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

Signs of Progress in Downtown Wilmington DE

Downtown Wilmington DE has seen a lot of growth this year. There are changes happening throughout the Downtown, including new construction and the opening of small businesses. Although there have been challenging times for our business community, we continue to persevere and bring innovative initiatives to support the Downtown like Curbside Wilmington and our Free Shipping program that is now offering free shipping with participating Downtown retailers.

Please continue to support our local businesses by dining Downtown, shopping in-store or online with free shipping, buying gift cards and continuing to use services provided by our small businesses. When you shop small you’re not just supporting your neighborhood favorites - you’re investing in your community.

New Openings

AMITY BISTRO | 231 N MARKET ST

Open now in the LOMA area, Amity Bistro started with the simple idea of bringing the best food and entertainment. From their founder to the front-line workers, they put lots of love and careful thought into all they do.

ARTZSCAPE | 223 N MARKET ST

ArtzScape now has a second location on Market Street to bring you more events happening Downtown. They offer an innovative performance and event space for those that prefer an intimate setting. ArtzScape is black owned and operated, providing artistic events, shop small days, private functions, conferences and more.

CIRCA 7 | 205 W 14th ST

Clothing focused on mental health and living perfect moments. Spreading mental health awareness through art, fashion, and community events. Shop Small with Circa 7 online and receive free shipping through December 31st or check out their new shop and remember #theworldneedsyou.

DE SLIDERS CO. | 204 W 10th ST

DE Slider Co. is a unique approach to your classic favorite burger joint. Offering a mouthwatering array of sliders and delicious sides. Their recipes are specially curated, everything is made from scratch and the ingredients are locally sourced. Great food brings people together, and that is the whole mission that has brought DE Slider Co. to life.

Freakishly awesome | 825 N Tatnall ST

A barber shop unlike any other offering top notch service , custom designs, a creative art space and clothing. It’s just a vibe so check them out and live Freakishly Awesome!

Humble fabrics | 306 N shipley st

Looking for material to make a new outfit or trim to embellish your favorite garment? Humble Fabrics is open 7 days a week and specializes in high-quality fabrics and trims . Schedule your fitting with their in-store seamstresses for alterations or custom pieces today.

NAIL’D BY LONDON | 231 n market ST

More than just a nail studio, this creative space for self-care and tranquility allows every customer to experience top-notch treatment. Whether you are interested in a classic look or unique designs, Nail’d by Londyn offers exquisite ambiance & unmatched customer service.

Reopenings

GIRARD Craft and Cork | 224 W 9TH ST

Girard Craft & Cork is back! Stop by their new storefront on 9th Street to shop this one-stop spirits destination built for those with a taste for finer things, a love for local treasures and a strong sense of community.

THE GRAND | 818 n Market ST

We couldn’t be happier to have The Grand open! After closing their doors during the pandemic they are back and better than ever with concerts, comedy shows, live entertainment and more! The Grand is a celebrating 150 years this December as one of the region’s premier performing arts presenters. It sounds like the perfect time to buy show tickets for you or as the perfect holiday gift.

Every Small Purchase Makes a Big Difference

Downtown Visions is excited to announce the return of our FREE SHIPPING program to support our small businesses! When you shop online with one of your favorite Downtown retailers this holiday season you will receive free shipping courtesy of Downtown Visions. It’s as simple as that! Shop between 10/1/21 and 12/31/21 and Downtown Visions will cover the cost of the shipping for both you and the retailer. 

Participating Downtown Retailers:
Al’s Sporting Goods
Circa7
LaFate Gallery
Morgan’s of Delaware
Poppycock Tattoo
Spaceboy Clothing
Town & Shore Handcrafted

 Shop Small today and everyday!

Ways to #ShopSmall This Holiday Season in Downtown Wilmington DE

We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. We need to help our small businesses get through this time of crisis. Support these small businesses, and their staff, by shopping local not just this holiday season, but every day.

Ways to #ShopSmall in Downtown Wilmington DE:

• Dine Downtown Deal - Support Downtown Wilmington DE eateries and you’ll get rewarded! Dine-in or take out 5x between 10/1/20 and 12/31/20, 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)!

• Free Holiday Shipping - Several Downtown Wilmington DE businesses are offering FREE shipping for all online purchases made through the end of the year. Simply shop online between 11/1/20 and 12/31/20 at participating businesses, and they’ll ship your purchases anywhere within the United States for free!

• I Made an Impact Contest - Enter to win awesome local prizes through Wilmington Made’s I Mad an Impact Contest! Simply text your receipt to 302-433-6078 from any participating business or restaurant dated between 11/28/20 and 12/24/20 for your chance to win!

• You can also support your favorite small businesses by purchasing a gift card, buying the staff a round, making a donation, following them on social media, spreading the word about their offers, and posting a positive review.

It is even easier to visit Downtown Wilmington this month and shop small with the City’s free holiday metered parking program and free Market Street valet both in effect through January 2nd, 2021.

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