Back By Popular Demand: Dine Downtown Deal & Free Shipping Promotion!

We all know that 2020 was incredibly challenging for our small businesses, and this year is proving to be no different. In order to help them weather this ongoing storm, the Dine Downtown Deal and the Free Shipping Promotion have both been renewed!

Our small businesses, and their employees, are relying on your patronage to remain open during this increasingly difficult time. They have continued to adapt to the everchanging guidelines in order to keep serving their community. Most businesses are now offering online ordering, free delivery, and curbside pickup.

We urge you to #ShopSmall and #SupportLocal in Downtown Wilmington DE.

Dine Downtown Deal

Support Downtown Wilmington DE eateries and you’ll get rewarded! Dine-in or take out 5x between 1/1/21 and 3/31/21, 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)! You may still participate in DDD 2.0 even if you received a gift card from phase 1 one the program. For more details, click the link below.

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Free Shipping Promotion

Shop small with the click of a button! Please support Downtown Wilmington DE retailers during this time of crisis. Some of your favorite businesses are even offering FREE shipping for all online purchases. Simply shop online at the following local businesses between 1/1/21 and 3/31/21, and they’ll ship your purchases anywhere within the United States for free:

• Al’s Sporting Goods

• A.R. Morris Jewelers

• LaFate Gallery

• Morgan’s of Delaware

• Spaceboy Clothing

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

Stick to your New Year's Resolutions with These Downtown Businesses

Sticking to your New Year's resolutions all year long can be difficult, but with help from these Downtown Wilmington DE businesses you'll be able to achieve your goals whether you want to feel your best, nourish your body, or even learn a new skill!

If you want to feel your best…

CoreTen Fitness | 1007 N. Orange Street, Suite GL-05

CoreTen Fitness is Wilmington, DE’s premier fitness facility offering a variety of membership options for any type of exerciser. In addition to their state-of-the-art cardio equipment, knowledgeable coaches and extensive weight room, CoreTen Fitness offers personal training programs, group exercise classes, small group training and more!

Central YMCA | 501 W 11th St

As a Y member, you will have access to personalized fitness plans, state-of-the-art fitness centers, hundreds of group exercise classes, babysitting while you work out, indoor and outdoor pools, tons of programming for youth and adults, personal training and so much more! Oh, and did you know that you can also visit most YMCAs across the country at no extra charge? What are you waiting for?

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If you want to nourish your body…

Eat Clean Juice Bar | 225 N Market St

Healthy never tasted this good! Eat Clean is a full-service juice bar serving health-conscious comfort food, including cold-pressed juices using local and organic produce. Build your own smoothies & acai bowls with an array of ingredients that meet your healthy tastebuds, and so much more.

Green Box Kitchen | 400 N Market St

Eating healthy should be simple and enjoyable. The goal of Green Box Kitchen is to make eating healthy uncomplicated and tasty by using nutrient-dense, plant-based ingredients that are not only good for you but, also taste absolutely amazing. Their mission is to nourish our community by serving a healthy, approachable, and tasteful plant-based menu, all while rooting our efforts in local philanthropy and social change. 

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If you want to learn something new…

LaFate Gallery | 227 N Market St

Painting the Folk Art Way class is designed for participants to "Discover the Artist in YOU". The presenter will discuss the basics of creating a work of art. Participants will tour the gallery for inspiration. Participants will be guided to create a work of art using LINES, SHAPES, & COLORS.

NextFab | 503 N Tatnall St

At NextFab, you’ll find all the tools and technology needed to support your entrepreneurial endeavors, as well as a tight-knit community to connect with. With department workshops, offices, communal space, and flexible space ready to be tailored to members’ needs, they offer the latest resources and a clean, comfortable environment to work in.

The Sold Firm | 800 N Tatnall St

The STORM exhibit opens Friday 2/19/21 in the Sold Firm art gallery. This is a solo exhibit by Sakana Walls. An incarcerated painter using his gift as freedom until the release date. Tickets are $10 and are now available for opening weekend 2/19, 2/20 and 2/21. Sakana will be live on video during opening weekend, from the correctional facility he is currently housed in.

Wilmington Public Library | 10 E 10th St

It's Lit Community Book Club is a partnership between the Wilmington Public Library and PowHER Book Club. This book club is an open virtual space for adults. Each month they read a book from a writer from the African diaspora. For more information and to register for the book club, click here.

Have you ever wanted to learn American Sign Language? Here's your chance! Learn the basics of American Sign Language ONLINE through the library! This class will meet every Wednesday at 7pm via Zoom for (4) weeks. All participants are expected to attend all four sessions. Each week participants will learn new skills to prepare them for future meetings. Learn more.

Zip Code Wilmington | 1007 N Orange St, 4th Floor

No matter your age, gender, educational background, or career, Zip Code Wilmington coaches every day, motivated people from diverse backgrounds into skilled, professional developers. The program will give you the know-how and network to build a career you're excited about all while doing meaningful work. Join a dynamic group of people hungry to be in control of their career paths and love what they do. Become a Zip Coder.

Winter Ready Grants Offer Comfortable Outdoor Dining in Downtown Wilmington DE

Image Credit: Local_boy_photography

Earlier this fall, New Castle County announced its Winter Ready Restaurant Grant program in an effort to support local Delaware restaurants as they prepared their outdoor spaces for colder climates. These grants have allowed several of our Downtown Wilmington DE restaurants to keep outdoor dining a viable and comfortable option for restaurant goers with additional heaters, lighting, and furniture,

Restaurants, such as Bardea, have used these grants to expand their outdoor seating for comfortable open-air dining. Bardea co-owner Scott Stein wants the restaurant to be a safe space for customers to feel good knowing protocol is being taken seriously and they can step away from the current struggles and enjoy a good meal.

“I just want people to feel comfortable,” he says.

The Bardea Winter Garden is open for reservation along with many other Downtown Wilmington DE restaurants that have benefited from the Winter Ready Grants. Please visit them today and continue to support small during this difficult time.

• Bardea Food & Drink

• Chelsea Tavern

• Cafe Mezzanotte

• Stitch House Brewery

• Makers Alley

• IM Coffee

• La Fia

• Tonic Seafood & Steak

• Green Box Kitchen

• DECO Food Hall

• Eat Clean Juice Bar

Applications are still being accepted for Winter Ready Grants. For more information, click here.

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!

Signs of Progress in Downtown Wilmington DE

It’s no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for small business owners across the nation. Between the pandemic shutdown and civil unrest, local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges. While some have sadly been forced to close their doors for good, many have overcome these obstacles by adjusting their business models to provide even more online options for customers.

In Downtown Wilmington DE, not only have our favorite small businesses reopened, but we are pleased to welcome several new businesses to the neighborhood as well!

Grand Openings

Milk & Honey | 239 N Market St

Milk & Honey will open its 2nd cafe & gallery in Wilmington on Market Street in the space formerly occupied by LOMA Coffee. The doors are set to open sometime in October!

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli | 1204 N Washington St

Rosenfeld's, a traditional, kosher-style deli, is set to open its 4th location on September 30th in Downtown Wilmington next to Washington Street Ale House!

Dorcea | 1314 N Washington St

Dorcea, an inviting American bistro with lots of local beers on tap, opened in the former Domain Hudson space in April in the middle of the pandemic. They use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere for dining on Washington Street!

101 dupont place | 101 W 10th St

Live in an icon! 101 dupont place apartments draws from the elegance of yesterday paired with the conveniences of today to create the first luxury living experience within the iconic Dupont Building in downtown Wilmington, DE.

Le Cavalier at the Green Room | 42 W 11th St

Influenced by the flavors of North Africa and Provençe, Le Cavalier is a neo-brasserie inside the Hotel Du Pont offering thoughtfully sourced French classics and inventive riffs on French staples paired with natural wines designed to complement the fare.

Rodney Square Renovation | 1000 N Market St

It's been one year since shovels were put to dirt and the start of the Rodney Square's renovation truly began. Not only is the fountain operational, but there's also new grass, new lighting in place, and new, replanted flower beds around the Square. There's still more to come, but we're excited about the changes we've seen.

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Grand Re-Openings

DECO Food Hall | 111 W 10th St

After being closed since March, DECO food hall finally reopened for indoor/outdoor dining on September 14th. In response to the pandemic, the food hall also introduced new “DECO On The Go” offerings, including all-in-one take-out and delivery.

Academy for Peace | 203 N Market St

On August 22, Dr. Jay celebrated the reopening of the Academy for Peace and the residency of local artist 7God. His art is dedicated to mental health awareness and on display for all to see at 203 N. Market Street!

Convenient Store | 201 W 9th St

After being closed for months, owner Sam Patel reopened the Convenient Store on August 21 with a number of renovations. The Convenient Store keeps the neighborhood happy, selling snack foods, candy, beverages and other goods. It’s also a Delaware State Lottery Retailer, Sports Lottery retailer, and Keno Lottery.

Al’s Sporting Goods | 200 N Market St

Al’s Sporting Goods has been a part of the Downtown Wilmington community for 85 years. Despite heavy looting during the protests, Al’s remained committed to the community and reopened on July 20th with unwavering support from customers. See Al’s first for all your athletic and fashion needs in Downtown Wilmington.

The Queen | 500 N Market St

The Queen Theater reopened on June 24th with enhancements and a renewed focus on local entertainment. The brand new Knight’s Bar and terrace, located just off the main entrance, offers live, local music every Wednesday through Saturday night.

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We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. Now more than ever before, we need to help our small businesses get through this time of crisis. Please help our support these businesses, and their staff, by:

• ordering takeout

• dining in (& out)

• purchasing gift cards

• following them on social media

• spreading the word about their offers

• posting a positive review