FREE Appetizers at Cafe Mezzanotte and The Perfect Private Rooms for Your Holiday Party!

Did you know? One of Wilmington's neighborhood Italian restaurants has received a major makeover! Stop in and see what everyone is raving about!

Sergio Pellegrino, chef, owner and one of the nicest gentleman you'll have the pleasure to meet invites you to experience his authentic Mediterranean Italian fare. A Wilmington staple since 2003, Sergio has been warming the hearts and stomachs of Wilmingtonians and weary travelers for years.

On Wednesday, October 11th, he celebrated a grand-reopening of his renovated restaurant where he humbly thanked devoted fans including Mayor Michael Purzycki and City Council President Hanifa Shabazz for their devoted patronage. The stylish restaurant with emerald walls and industrial lighting now matches the level of prestige of the delicious food. The menu has received a face-lift as well, making guest's favorite staples permanent such as the Cioppino, a seafood arrangement with pasta that is a favorite in Southern Italy. The well adored homemade bread and pasta will remain. 

To celebrate the grand re-opening,  there will be complimentary appetizers during happy hour from 4-7 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday! Additionally, for the upcoming holiday season, should you purchase a $50 minimum gift certificate, a 20% bonus will be added to the certificate!

If you are looking for the perfect room for your private party look no further. The Milano room (for 20-25 people) and the Roma room (12 people) are both perfect for holiday events and meetings! 

Sergio is looking forward to making you feel right at home. Click here to make your reservation.

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

 

We Want to Help YOU Prepare for Small Business Saturday!

Hard to believe, but the holidays are right around the corner! What is your business doing to properly prepare? 

Did you know Downtown Visions is here to help grow your business? In addition to all of our business resources, we are huge fans of Small Business Saturday on November 25th. We want to help you have an extra successful Small Business Saturday and encourage locals to #shopsmall.

In order to help you, please send us whatever promotions you will be offering on that day and we will help get the word out!

Simply email LSchweiger@downtownvisions.org the name of your business, the promotion you are offering, how to redeem that particular promotion and what hours you will be open that day. 

Not sure where to start? Here are two additional resources to help you prepare:

American Express FREE Small Business Toolkit

Big Ideas for Small Business Saturday

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Introducing Shop Wilmington! What is HOT in the City of Wilmington!

Wilmington is full of hidden gems and incredible small businesses just waiting to be discovered...thanks to ShopWimingtonDE.com, they will be easier to find! This brand-new resource has sneak peak footage of up and coming restaurants, the best places to shop for specific items in the area and a preview of shops coming to the region! 

With the up and coming shopping season and Small Business Saturday, ShopWilmingtonDE.com is a great place to browse and make your list before hitting the streets for holiday purchases!

Check out the video below on Sneaker Zone! 

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Wilmington Business Classes for Organizations of All Sizes in September!

Education is key to continuous growth whether for individuals, small businesses or billion dollar organizations.

Downtown Visions wants to ensure your business and associates are thriving. Below are several workshops and training sessions offered in our area to assist business owners and some are even free!  

Interested in starting a business in the Downtown Wilmington vicinity? Here are some of the many resources to help get you started. 

September 6th

Walk-in Assistance for Career and Business

2:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Wilmington Library

September 7th

Slash 10 Hours From Your Work Week to Be More Productive - A Business Fundamentals Workshop

8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

September 14th

Increase Your Net Revenue: Grants & Loans for Improved Energy Efficiency =

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Wilmington Library

15 Invaluable Laws of Growth

3:30 PM to 4:30 PM

Wilmington Library

September 19th

SEMINAR: Financing for Startups and Choosing Your Business Structure

9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

Delaware Small Business Chamber

SBA Access to Capital Workshop

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Newark Senior Center

September 21st

CEO Think Tank: Briefing Session - Scaling Up – EXECUTION Focus Workshop

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

New Castle County Chamber of Commerce

August 29th

Partnering for Profits

10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

Wilmington Library

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab

Making Market Street Beautiful & Welcoming Again: Downtown Visions Security Gate Removal Program

721 N. Market Street receives a face lift and has their security gate removed thanks to Downtown Vision's Main Street Wilmington program. 

One of the first things you notice when you pull onto Market Street for the first time are the gorgeous, colorful historical buildings. What you may not know, is that at one time these beautiful storefronts were somewhat hidden by unsightly security gates. Thanks to Downtown Visions and their Main Street Wilmington Program, many of the gates have been removed.

The goal of removing the security gates was to not only improve the overall atmosphere of Market Street, but to also encourage growth and redevelopment. Perception is critical and new businesses and residents feel much more welcome in an area without security gates. 

Wilmington is not the only city taking down the gates, in 2009, New York City Council voted to ban the kind of security gates that completely shield commercial storefront windows and doors from view — ones that resemble old-fashioned auto garage doors. Removal of solid gates are also a safety precaution, officers and firefighters now have the ability to look inside in an emergency.

Downtown Visions is proud to be paving the way in Wilmington, completely funding the removal project. Security gate removal grants are paid for 100% by Downtown Visions under the Main Street Wilmington program to improve the property value and appearance of each approved applicants. Thus far, Downtown Visions is proud to have removed  27 security gates. 

Lani Schweiger, Main Street Wilmington Project & Communication Coordinator explained, "The original external security gates were very dated.  By removing them it makes the Downtown area look better aesthetically and allows potential customers to view window displays after hours."

701 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE

723 N. Market Street Wilmington, DE

Post by Julia Mason of Enthusiasm Lab