Next Fab Wilmington's New Playground for Creatives

Creatives rejoice! Your exclusive clubhouse is now right in your backyard and offers a multi platform innovative space for you to make your wildest ideas a reality!

Have you ever had a brilliant idea but wasn't sure how to execute it, or where to start?

Next Fab is the answer. Newly opened at 503 N Tatnall Street, Wilmington, DE, Next Fab has all the tools you need from creating your piece to getting it on shelves and in front of the public.

Offering eight unique membership options, Next Fab has something for everyone. From the individual who wants to dip their toes in the water and explore a particular trade or class, to the full-blown corporation that needs a creative space and the newest technology available. You can even bring your visionary child, ages  10-17 to set their imagination on fire!

When you join, you have access to all three Next Fab locations. The one in Wilmington specifically offers 3D printing and scanning, design software, electronics, laser cutting, engraving and a state-of-the-art woodworking facility.  The additional facilities also offer textiles, jewelry making, metalworking and 2D printing and photography. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, but know you have a stellar idea? They can even make the products for you!

What separates Next Fab from the competition is their team. Comprised of life-long tradesmen and women, their human knowledge resource cannot be beat. They are willing to drill down the process and make it as easy as possible for you to make your dream project a reality. 

What we love? The Next Fab team and members have collaborated on some extraordinary projects to change the world.  From creating specialized helmets to deaf/hearing impaired assistive devices, solving current issues with futuristic technology is happening at Next Fab. While touring the facility we even got to see some 3D printed "whistles" that are used by the paralyzed to communicate.

Next Fab has already started making an impact in Wilmington, helping create the Wilmington Green Box Kiosk. 

We can't wait to see what the ingenious individuals of our city come up with next at Next Fab!!

Check out the latest items created at Next Fab.

Learn more about joining Next Fab and their classes.

Follow Next Fab on Facebook.

Follow Next Fab on Instagram

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

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

Feeding Minds, Bodies and Souls…Getting Deep with Jason Aviles of The Wilmington Green Box

Jason Aviles doesn't stop. From the Bronx, New York, he takes the word "entrepreneur" to an entire new level. From creating his own interdisciplinary Bachelors Degree in Youth Development & Social Change to running four businesses, he has some useful and touching advice for us all.

Learn more on how he went from a revamped Victorian push cart to revolutionizing healthy eating and nutrition in the City of Wilmington at 420 N Market Street at Wilmington Green Box.

Wilmington Green Box was made possible by funding from The Buccini/Pollin Group as well as funding and business development assistance from Main Street Wilmington. Inspired to start a business in Wilmington like Jason?  There are a variety of complimentary services Downtown Visions has to get you started. Click here to learn more.

Q. Where did the idea for the green box stem from?

A. “Born out of a void that we saw in the central Wilmington community of there not being access to healthy goods and produce. While looking for creative ways to fill this void, we wanted to develop a model that was a win, win, win. We wanted to do more…a creative strategy to help other challenged areas, such as youth education and employment. We felt like the local youth needed positive outlets that gave them not only experience but also employed them so they could contribute to their household income. We targeted inner city kids who could really benefit from the program. So the concept is influential in four areas, food access,  youth employment, education and purchasing local. We wanted to strengthen the local small business community economy.”

Q. How have you seen the box change the lives of individuals working for the company as well as customers?

A. “It has been transformational, Emmanuel is our poster child. He took Wilmington Green Box to a whole new level with his charisma, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. It has been a transformation for him to be with positive older male and female role models and interacting with customers on a daily basis helps build his social skills.

For our customers, we are not just selling a product. Our customers aren’t just buying a food, they are buying into a mission and an organization that really cares for the community and is giving directly back to the community. You feel good supporting youth, youth education and local food companies.”

Q. How has the Wilmington Green Box evolved since you just started out?

A. “We first started with a 1940’s ice box from a Victorian home. We put wheels on it, packed it with healthy goods and that’s how we started out. We didn’t have a storefront or space. We just brought the goods directly to people. It was a perfect introduction, we were able to get in front of so many individuals. Some didn’t know a carrot could make juice. We were educating people on how to be healthy. We also were able to educate our team on product knowledge. After a successful summer doing it that way;we saw we had a demand and we wanted to fulfill it in a consistent way. That’s how the location we are at now was born. The location on Market was designed to provide a place people could come to a consistent basis and activate a space that had not been utilized. We wanted to provide an additional green space and complimentary Wifi to the public. We looked at it as a solution for those we could serve and for us. We built the space and kiosk as an experience.”

Q. What do you see for the future of the green box?

A. “The future, I see us moving into an indoor location where we can have collaboration with a smoothie bar, café, and co-op style grocery store that can serve bulk health food that continues to serve local and bi-local markets. That is the direction we are going into.”

Q. What is your favorite food or drink served at the Green Box?

A. “It’s a tie…I would say, the fruit salads….they are really fresh and awesome from Sol Fruit, a great local organization. Alkaline state of mind from Juiced Libations is another favorite. It is a green juice that gets me going. I often end up eating a fruit salad and drinking one of those on busy days.”

Q. What are some of the challenges you have faced so far?

A. “A challenge is the education portion. Creating a culture and mindset of wellness. It hasn’t been on the forefront of initiatives. Locals aren’t aware of how to live a greater, quality life through nutrition. Exposing people on how to become healthy can be a challenge. We are motivated by it though, so it is not so much a challenge as it is an opportunity. This is the first concept of its kind here. We have seen incredible progress of people learning because of what we offer.”

Q. You wear a lot of hats, Project Director at Wilmington Green Box, Executive Director at Wilmington Placemakers Inc., Co-founder at Artist Ave Station and CEO at FLYOGI. How do you keep it all together and organized?

A. “At the foundation of everything I do is yoga. I was taught yoga is a lifestyle... how you treat others, yourself, nutrition. Everything I do is a part of my practice. The businesses I engage in are an extension of myself. Looking at the voids that exist and trying to fulfill them. I’m not doing it alone, it is a team of us. I have a wonderful team, John Naughton , James Thompson and Emmanuel are equally contributing. When I’m stressed out, I lean on them. We all lean on each other. Our team is on the same page.”

Q. How are you able to remain so Zen? Is it all that yoga?

A. “Yes. Everything really is a practice. It is a constant growing process.”

Q. What is your favorite aspect of the City of Wilmington?

A. “My favorite aspect is the growth that is happening. Wilmington is a growing place. It is in that threshold and it is exciting to be a part of. It is good to know not everything has happened yet. Those are our opportunities to fill those gaps. That is why I chose Wilmington. I wanted to contribute to that.”

Q. What advice would you give to entrepreneur wanting to start a business in downtown Wilmington?

A. “I would say, know what you want and know who wants it. Downtown Wilmington is a market that is used to doing what it is used to doing. You have to know the market and who you want to serve. You have to be consistent and offer high quality products and services. Make sure you know how to market. You are going to have to spend a lot of time marketing. Everyone here is a creature of habit. Introducing new things, you have to have creative ways to put it in front of them.”

Learn more about The Wilmington Green Box

Follow The Green Box on Facebook and Instagram

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Downtown Farmers Market Grand Opening May 17th

The market begins Wednesday May 3rd and May 10th from 10 am - 2 pm and on Wednesday May 17th at 12:00 PM, Downtown Visions celebrates the Grand Opening of the Downtown Farmer's Market at Rodney Square sponsored by Chase Card Services.

Now in its 14th year the 2017 season of the Downtown Farmers Market at Rodney Square operates every Wednesday, rain or shine, through October 25th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, except for June 21st for the Jazz Fest. Join us every Wednesday, in beautiful Rodney Square, between 10th & 11th Streets and Market & King Streets. The Square comes to life each Wednesday beneath the statue of Caesar Rodney, for whom the park is dedicated. The Farmers Market offers an array of the freshest local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers, a large assortment of beautiful handmade items, including arts and crafts, unique jewelry and delicious home baked goods. Stroll the Square and then relax under an umbrella at one the many café tables. The food truck craze continues with returning favorites like Kapow Food Truck, Koi On The Go and I Don't Give A Fork.  We are also looking forward to our new vendors including River Rock Kitchen and Mrs. Robino's.  Enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch while listening to a variety of free live entertainment.

This market is another example of our commitment to assisting small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups as well as many community organizations with the goal of a more vital, vibrant downtown for all.  The market has grown each year to become the go to place for 1,000's citizens and Downtown workers every Wednesday. Much of what is sold at the market is grown by small family owned farms in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Come out and enjoy all Downtown Wilmington has to offer!

Marty

How to help one of our Downtown Entrepreneurs...

One of our entrepreneurs in Downtown Wilmington just received exciting news - Cherné of Cherné Altovise has been accepted into a program called Mastered: Accessories in London!

But, she needs our help - I encourage you to Click Here to learn more about the program and how you can help one of our creative and unique entrepreneurs take advantage of this great opportunity.

Marty