Get Back to Business: Resources for Assistance

Two new funding opportunities were created to help Downtown Wilmington DE establishments get back to business after the past few months.

Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP)

The Delaware Department of Justice created the Victims’ Compensation Assistance Program for businesses that were damaged or vandalized following the peaceful demonstrations. VCAP can assist Delawareans with crime scene cleanups (up to $1,000) and personal safety property (up to $1,500).  If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call VCAP at (302) 255-1770.

The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund

To support small businesses citywide that are recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, Barclays US Consumer Bank, Cornerstone West, and Wilmington Alliance are announced The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund. Through a public-private partnership, local economic development organizations have joined forces to ensure Wilmington businesses will remain open for years to come.

The Wilmington Strong Small Business Fund will offer grants of approximately $1,000 to small businesses located in the City of Wilmington to cover specific expenses such as rent payments, mortgage payments, utility and supplier bills. The fund will not only build the capacity of small businesses to recover from the impact of COVID-19, but also build out a community-driven network to serve Wilmington’s favorite shops, restaurants, stores and cafes citywide.

The first round of applications are being accepted through midnight tonight (6/8/2020), with additional rounds to follow shortly after. The application is available in English and Spanish. For questions or more information, please email GLantieri@westsidegrows.org.

The Wilmington Strong Fund is also accepting individual donations. If you would like to support our Downtown Business community, please click the link below.

Image Credit: Moonloop Photography

Shop Small and Support Downtown Businesses Online!

Updated: May 12, 2020

Small businesses are important to the economic and social fabric of our society, and we all play a part in their survival. Now more than ever they need our support. That is why we are asking you to #ShopSmall with your favorite Downtown retailer or small business online or support them by purchasing a gift card today!

Your support is greatly appreciated.

 A.R. Morris: Open 24/7 online or to schedule an in-store appointment email admin@armorrisjewelers.com

Al’s Sporting Goods: Custom sublimated masks available for order online.

Collars n Cuffs: Wedding specials and tuxedo sales.

Crazy Discount: Offering curbside pickup Monday-Saturday from 9am-6pm.

Discount Plus: Offering curbside pickup Monday–Saturday from 9am – 6pm.

DLS Discovery: Open and continuing to service small businesses in and around the Wilmington area with their print needs. Use this 20% off event reprint coupon for all your marketing needs!

DTLR: Shop for the latest gear at DTLR.com

The Grand Opera House & The Playhouse on Rodney Square: Purchase a gift certificate for future performances for you or as a gift!  Help keep the arts & theater alive in Downtown https://bit.ly/2WAUMje

LaFate Gallery: Curbside pickup is available on Tuesday-Saturday from 11am-4pm. Purchase original folk art & limited edition prints online at www.lafategallery.com. Starting June 5th take 50% off of limited edition prints and 25% off original paintings.

Miller’s Check Cashing: Offering curbside pickup Monday–Friday from 9:30am – 3pm.

Morgan’s of Delaware: Shop online and save 20% off all orders placed through May 30th!

Rainbow: Take an extra 10% off on anything! No code needed

Spaceboy Clothing: Custom “made-to-order” masks now available!

Sneaker City: Open for curbside pickup Monday-Saturday from 12pm-4pm.

Wright & Simon: While closed to the public, we are still conducting business on the phone at (302) 658-7345 and via email len@wrightandsimon.com. We have custom shirt fabric options if you feel like shopping from home. If I have your measurements on file, you can call me to place an order, and I can have it shipped to you. You can also purchase a gift certificate.

COVID-19 Small Business Webinar Series

Learn tips & strategies on applying for state and federal small business resources. Webinars will be held every Wednesday during the month of April at 3pm with Zoom video conferencing. Click here for more info.

Wednesday, April 1st, 2020 at 3PM

• H.E.L.P Hospitality Emergency Loan Program

• Speaker: Damian DeStefano, Delaware Division of Small Business

• Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/473149076

• Meeting ID: 473 149 076

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020 at 3PM

• SBA Disaster Relief Program for Small Businesses

• Speaker John Fleming, Small Business Administration

• Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/915176488

• Meeting ID: 915 176 488

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020 at 3PM

• Services to Assist with Application Documentation

• Speaker: TBD, DE Small Business Development Center

• Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/646763385

• Meeting ID: 646 763 385

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 at 3PM

• How to Restructure Debt

• Speaker: Clinton Tymes, True Access Capital & Women's Business Center

• Login: https://zoom.us/j/507676069

• Meeting ID: 507 676 069

Wednesday, April 29th, 2020 at 3PM

• Rent Relief due to Revenue Decreases

• Speaker: Greg Ellis, Patterson-Woos Commercial Properties

• Login: HTTPS://ZOOM.US/J/333930183

• Meeting ID: 333 930 183

Free Resources for Small Businesses

Downtown Visions mission is to create, manage, and promote a quality environment for business development within our neighborhood by providing small business assistance through various initiatives. We strive to inform our community of the free resources available to them by a number of local and national agencies. If you have any questions on starting, or growing, your businesses in Downtown Wilmington DE, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Delaware Division of Small Business

The Delaware Division of Small Business, part of the Delaware Department of State, is a service-focused agency committed to supporting businesses starting and growing in Delaware. Small businesses can reach out to the Division for assistance in connecting to the resources and advice to succeed. The Division is a champion for Delaware small businesses and is here to help take companies to the next level.

• Features an online portal to find and connect to organizations in Delaware who assist small businesses. Click here to visit portal.

The Division of Small Business also EDGE grants to eligible businesses to encourage development, growth, and expansion. The EDGE Grant program gives qualified small businesses in Delaware an edge by offering access to significant capital like never before. The business must have been in operation less than 5 years. This will give them access to capital up to $50,000 for the Entrepreneur Class and $100,000 for Stem based companies!

• The deadline is Friday, February 28, 2020.

• For more information, click here.

New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

NCCCC hosts “Open For Business” sessions on the fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30 am - 11:30 am for small business owners to meet with representatives from their partner organizations. Collectively, these organizations provide a range of services that help start-ups advance their business model, reach potential customers, land government contracts, secure loans, meet state regulatory requirements and generally mentor entrepreneurs striking out on their own for the first time.

• Next event is Tuesday, February 25, 2020 located at 920 Justison Street, Wilmington, DE.

• The event is free, registration is suggested. To register, click here.

Downtown Merchant Meetings

Downtown Visions also hosts Downtown Merchant Meetings one Tuesday a month for business owners within the Central Business District share ideas and connect with each other.

• The next Merchant Meeting is at 9:30 am on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at Stitch House Brewery.

America Express Future of Shopping Small Grant Program

American Express® is teaming up with Main Street America to give 10 small business owners $10,000 each to help their businesses innovate in this evolving retail landscape. The American Express Future of Shopping Small Grant Program will celebrate small businesses across the country that are a vital part of their community. The program is intended to support small businesses that have demonstrated new approaches to traditional business strategies and those businesses looking to try out creative techniques, while also helping to revitalize and strengthen older and historic commercial districts.

• The deadline is Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

• For more information, click here.

• To see if your businesses is location within one of Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts (DDD), click here.

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!