An Old-School Shoe Repair Shop Keeps Wilmingtonians Feet Looking Fancy!

In a day and age where things seem disposable, Michael Flood has been bringing old soles back to life since the young age of 16, when he began learning the trade. 

With a charming small shop in downtown Wilmington, called Show Tech, I stopped by to drop off some information but was quickly struck by the amount of customers coming in and out. Recalling my favorite purse slung across my shoulder was being held together by a safety pin, I put it on the counter. Doubtful, I asked, "Can you fix this?"

"Of course, that would be easy, it'll be done by this afternoon," Mr. Flood explained. 

The purse was as good as new. From now on, instead of thinking I need something new when a favorite pair of shoes or purse breaks, I'll take them to Shoe Tech first. 

I encourage you to take a look in your closet and see if there is a long lost treasure that you would love to have repaired. Take it to 111 W 9th street and you will not be disappointed. Check out these impressive before and after images!

Before

After

Shoe Tech

Shoe Tech on Facebook

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Small Business Saturday Deals Happening in Downtown Wilmington, DE!

Downtown Wilmington kicks off Small Business Saturday with the Downtown Christmas Parade starting at 11AM. Afterwards, attendees are encouraged to stop by the Delaware History Museum for Free family activities and fun between 12:30pm-4pm . The Playhouse on Rodney Square has tickets on sale now for Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer playing on both Saturday & Sunday. We encourage all to shop small at our local retailers and restaurants.

Below are just some of the retailers offering exclusive specials and promotions in celebration of Small Business Saturday!

Artzscape
Black Friday & Small Business Saturday Sale: Free gift with purchase of $50 or more, plus, 10% off all artwork by Motion Illustrationz! Did we mention free coffee and donuts?!
November 24th & 25th only, 10am-5pm

Al's Sporting Goods
Thanksgiving Weekend Sale: Tons of athletic equipment at DEEP discounts. Check out their ad for more INfo!
November 24th (8am-8pm) & 25th (9am-6pm) only

Cocina Lolo
Buy $100 in gift cards, receive a free $20 gift card!
Valid November 24th - December 24th

CoreTen Fitness
Free $50 gift card with the purchase of any $50 gift card!
November 27th - December 1st only

Delaware Art Museum
Gift Certificates and Studio Classes availble for gift-giving year-round! Special donation greeting cards will be available for purchase during the Winter Arts Festival letting friends know a donation has been made in their honor at the Delaware Art Museum (shop holiday gifts from over 18 artisans while you listen to festive music by local choirs!)... 

The Delaware Contemporary Annual Craft Show & Taste of the Holidays
The December Art Loop brings tons of local gift options every year and this dual event is top on our list!  December 1st only

Delaware Historical Society
FREE Admission during Small Business Saturday and December Art Loop. Shop the Museum Store for unique Delaware gifts while you're there!
November 25th and December 1st only

Delaware Museum of Natural History
Buy a gift membership to DMNH, and get two free guest passes!
Thru November 30th
 
Kalmar Nyckel
10% Discount on all Sail Passes and Merchandise
Thru December 21st

La Fia Bistro
Buy $100 in gift cards, receive a free $20 gift card!
Valid November 24th - December 24th

LaFate Gallery
Two-Day Holiday Auction & Sale: Bid on original folk and abstract paintings by multi award-winning folk artist Eunice LaFate! Mugs, t-shirts, resin, jewelry, sculptures and note cards also available.
November 24th & 25th only, 11am-6pm

LOMA Coffee
$1 any-size drip coffee, plus, a FREE LOMA Coffee mug with a purchase of $25 or more during Small Business Saturday!
November 25th only, while supplies last

Merchant Bar
Buy $100 in gift cards, receive a free $20 gift card!
Valid November 24th - December 24th

Nextfab Wilmington
Four special Class Packs being offered for the holidays:

• $50 Make Your Own Cutting Board
• $150 Learning the Lathe
• $250 Woodworking Foundations
• $500 Complete Techniques 

Masala Kitchen
Receive a $30 gift card for only $25!
Thru December 31st

Morgan's of Delaware
Mention this ad and save $20 off purchases of $100 or more!
Excludes sale merchandise. 

INtheSpirit Holiday Party
This annual holiday bash benefits Wilmington families IN need AND brings together more than a dozen local artists and artisans for last-minute gift buying opportunities!
December 20th only

OperaDelaware
Gift certificates for OperaDelaware's 2018 Festival make excellent holiday gifts and are available from $50-$200!
 
Poppycock Tattoo
Black Friday and Small Business Saturday Gift Certificate Sale: Every $100 spent, you get an extra $25! ($100=$125 $200=$250 $300=$375)
Nov 24th and Nov 25th only

Starbucks on Market                                                                                                                        Complimentary live music following the parade.

Studio One Eleven
10% off all services for new clients on Small Business Saturday
November 25th only

UDairy Creamery
Free Single Scoop Voucher for every $25 spent in store (gift certificates available in $5 increments!) during Small Business Saturday!
November 25th only, 8am-8pm

WiLDWiCH
$1.50 coffee drinks, any size, every Monday, all day! Mocha Latté, Cappuccino, Espresso, Machiatto, Coffee, and more. All from La Colombe coffee roasters. 
7am-4pm thru 2017

Women Business Center's Shop Small Marketplace
This marketplace during Small Business Saturday focuses on women-owned businesses and their products on display at The Delaware Contemporary!
November 25th only

Join Us for a Downtown Holiday Meet & Greet!

You are invited! Learn how creativity and the arts are helping to transform our Downtown commercial district! 

On Monday, December 11th, 2017 join us from 5:30- 7:00 PM at The Mill located within the Nemours building at 1007 North Orange Street along with Downtown Visions for an evening of conversation with Mark Fields - Executive Director of The Grand Opera House and The Playhouse on Rodney Square and Robert Herrera - Founder of the creative co-working space The Mill.
Light refreshments will be served. 

The Facebook event can be found here.

This event is proudly sponsored by Downtown Visions.

10 Places to Give this Holiday Season and Make a Difference in Wilmington!

One of the greatest things you can do to get into the holiday spirit is volunteer and make a difference in the community around you. Here are just a few incredible organizations within Downtown Wilmington, that could use your help this holiday season. Whether it is a donation of your time, or financial resources, you can be sure that your generosity will go to a good cause. 

1.  Our Youth Inc. 35th Annual Turkey Giveaway: For 35 years Nor Enterprises and Our Youth Inc. has provided food to thousands of seniors and families in our community who might otherwise have gone hungry on Thanksgiving Day. In the past 10 years alone they have fed in excess of 75,000 people. 

2. Reed's Refuge: Reeds’ Refuge Center is a community-focused non-profit organization committed to the holistic development and well-being of the children and financially afflicted families of the inner city of Delaware. 

3. Sunday Breakfast Mission: The Sunday Breakfast Mission serves the homeless, addicted and impoverished.

4. Neighborhood House: Neighborhood House provides informational programs that impact low to moderate income individuals, families and communities.

5. Ronald McDonald House: Keeping families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need.

6. Delaware Humane Association: Delaware’s premiere nonprofit no-kill animal care and adoption center, serving a four-state area. They are committed to providing for the needs of homeless and owned dogs and cats in our community.

7. The Ministry of Caring: The Ministry of Caring is a vibrant community of staff, volunteers, donors and diverse supporters united by a passion to serve the poor. 

8. St Patrick's Center: St. Patrick's Center provides emergency food, meals, respite for the homeless, clothing, transportation, and recreational activities for people in need on Wilmington's east side.

9. The Food Bank of Delaware: The Food Bank of Delaware, a member of Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest, is a statewide nonprofit agency whose vision is a community free of hunger.

10. Friendship House: Based in New Castle County, Delaware, Friendship House is a non-profit, faith-based corporation serving individuals and families that are or are at risk of becoming homeless. Welcoming to all, Friendship House strives to serve as a sanctuary and stepping stone to those in need through the traditional spiritual ministries of hospitality, education, empowerment, and community.

To support Downtown Visions fiscally or through volunteering, click here. 

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Meet Wayne A Downtown Visions Safety Ambassador for Over 7 Years!

Wayne is devoted to making Wilmington a better place for all to enjoy. Since he was a young child, Wayne was brought to the City of Wilmington by his father. Watching Wilmington progress and grow over the years has made the job even more meaningful! 

Interested in making a difference and becoming an ambassador or joining the Downtown Visions team? Click here for current opportunities! Curious about Downtown Visions and all of their incredible initiatives? Click here to learn more! 

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab