Introducing Curbside Wilmington & Free Valet Parking

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Downtown Visions together with Mayor Purzycki, the City of Wilmington, and The Committee of 100 is happy to announce that “Curbside Wilmington” will begin this Friday, June 12th in Downtown Wilmington DE. It is a new initiative designed to support local businesses and encourage patrons to return to the rejuvenated Downtown District this summer. “Curbside Wilmington” will enable Downtown restaurants to expand their outdoor dining into former parking spaces directly in front of their businesses, thereby allowing more seating at safely spaced distances in accordance with Governor Carney’s guidelines. Also, curbside pull-in spots have been designated throughout the Downtown area for all businesses, both retail and restaurants, to use for pick-up and curbside delivery. 

In addition, the 800 block of Market Street will be closed every Friday starting this week, June 12th for a block party with entertainment. The event will take place from 5pm-9pm but the block will be closed to traffic from 8am-10pm.

“Downtown Visions is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office and The Committee of 100 to help restart our dynamic Downtown restaurant scene,” said Martin Hageman, Executive Director of Downtown Visions. “The diverse eateries that run the length of Market Street and surrounding streets are critical to the economic health of our City.”

The Mayor said he hopes to see this new business re-opening model applied to other restaurant districts in the City in the weeks ahead. “We are bringing back the vibrant, exciting heart of the Downtown Restaurant District, which the COVID-19 pandemic virtually shut down overnight a few months ago,” said Mayor Purzycki.  “While businesses small and large across Wilmington are struggling to adapt to the new environment, we are happy to partner with our friends at Downtown Visions and The Committee of 100 to lend support to businesses trying to meet new challenges.”
 
Jennifer Kmiec said The Committee of 100 is also pleased to support “Curbside Wilmington” to provide enhanced outdoor dining experiences and convenient pick-up/delivery zones to help downtown restaurants and retailers.
 
Downtown Visions will provide additional tables and chairs to restaurants as needed, and custom-made railings created by the Challenge Program will be used for both safety and esthetical purposes.

FREE valet service through Gala Valet will be available starting this week to allow customers to safely park Downtown to dine and/or shop. The service will be available Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at three locations: the intersections of 5th and Market, 7th and Market, and 9th and Market streets.

Meanwhile, Downtown residents will be allowed to park in Colonial Parking lots for FREE by calling Colonial directly at 302.651.3600. The City and its partners today also thanked JP Morgan Chase for its support of the new “Curbside Wilmington” efforts and The Grand for providing outdoor space at its theater for music and entertainment.

For a list of restaurants that are open & ready to serve you, please click here!

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Wright & Simon Celebrates 85th Anniversary!

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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!

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

Thank You Donate Delaware For Supporting Downtown Visions!

Thank you Donate Delaware for generously supplying Downtown Visions with personal protective gear to help keep our ambassadors safe while serving the Downtown community seven days a week! 

Donate Delaware collects critically needed items from businesses or community members who have supplies that they do not currently need for Delaware’s first responders and healthcare organizations. Please support all of our essential workers by going to donatede.org and help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Support Local Businesses Now More Than Ever

Image Credit: Common Deer

We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. During this time of uncertainty, we need to do all we can to support these businesses, and their staff, by:

• ordering takeout

• purchasing gift cards

• following them on social media

• spreading the word about their offers

• posting a positive review

Please consider helping our small business owners and #ShopSmall during this crisis and always!

Vote Now: Best of Delaware 2020!

Every year, Delaware Today Magazine issues the Best of Delaware edition to spotlight local Delaware businesses in a variety of categories, ranging from food & drink to retail & services, that leave a lasting impression on their patrons. Readers and editors vote to recognize their favorite local establishments for their top-notch service and high-quality products.

Voting is now open for Delaware Today’s 2020 Best of Delaware class! To vote for you favorite Downtown Wilmington businesses, visit delawaretoday.com/vote and follow these simple rules:

1) Please limit your votes to Delaware-based businesses—no national chains
2) Businesses cannot incentivize votes with discounts, etc.
3) Votes originating from identical IP addresses will not be counted.
4) Please fill in the name and town of the business.
5) Please fill out at least 5 categories.
6) The Ballot closes on Jan. 26 at 5 p.m.
7) A special series of run-off voting will take place for the top vote-getters in the Food & Drink and Health & Beauty categories starting Feb. 3 and going weekly through March 15.

The results will be published in the July 2020 issue of Delaware Today and will be celebrated during their annual Best of Delaware Party, happening July 23, 2020 at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino.

Last year, 18 Downtown Wilmington businesses were awarded the Best of Delaware title all thanks to locals like you who voted for them. Spread the word about all of the great places in Downtown Wilmington DE and vote now!