Retail

7 New Businesses Opened in Downtown Wilmington DE Over the Summer!

The past few years on Market street have seen a surge of economic development with the opening of new restaurants, apartment communities, and more. The growth of businesses in Downtown Wilmington, DE has yet to slow down with 7 new establishments opening over this past summer (and 3 more just around the corner). Read up on the newest group of businesses that have chosen to call Wilmington home!

Open For Business

Girard & Faire | 216 W 9th St

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Girard & Faire kicked off the summer of development in Downtown Wilmington with not one, but two new establishments. First up, Girard Craft & Cork opened in April bringing an upscale liquor store to Girard Street (hence the name) with a keen focus on domestic and imported wines. Sneak through the back of the shop, and you enter Faire Market & Cafe - a gourmet grocery store and made to order counter serving delicious breakfast and lunch options.

King Creative & Studio Nurture | 727 N Market St

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Earlier this summer, co-owners of King Creative, Christopher Bruce and Dan Pierce, launched their newly formed Video Production House with a fully functioning Recording Studio at the corner of 8th and Market streets. This is the first of its kind in Wilmington with both a full-scale video production house and an audio recording studio. Above King Creative is also the brand new Studio Nurture offering yoga and meditation classes.

3 Kings Customs | 7 W 4th St

Offering fully customized products, from t-shirts and apparel to dog tags and coffee mugs, 3 Kings Customs can now be your one stop shop for promotional items just around the corner from Market!

Torbert Street Social | 305 Torbert St

Torbert Street Social, the newest venture by Big Fish Restaurant Group, brings a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant feel to Downtown Wilmington in a refurbished 19th century horse stable. Offering a nostalgic sense of class and history, Torbert Street Social brings together a fusion of elusiveness and complexity, serving only the finest spirits ans cocktails. offers a sophisticated cocktail lounge and patio. If you’re looking to disappear for a delicious bite to eat and a uniquely crafted cocktail, come in and see for yourself.

WHYY-TV | 605 N Market St

WHYY-TV has moved its newsroom from the Seventh and Orange streets location in Wilmington to Market Street! Serving the Philadelphia area, WHYY-TV covers local news and features many programs, including interviews with area politicians, shows from PBS and more, all seeking to inform and educate the community. This move puts the studio at the heart of the art and business scene in the city.

Coming Soon

Makers Alley | 804 N Orange St

Although not quite open just yet, Makers Alley is a brand new bar and restaurant coming soon to Downtown Wilmington - complete with a classic Airstream travel trailer turned food truck. Self-proclaimed as a joint for bites, sips, and outdoor vibes, discovered off the beaten path. We can’t wait to see how they have transformed the 19th-century carpenter’s shop into a 21st-century hangout space!

The Chicken Spot | 204 W 10th St

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The Chicken Spot is a brand new eatery taking over the location formerly occupied by Benjamin’s On 10th. The menu will feature different varieties of - you guessed it - chicken. The owner, Venu Gaddamidi, also manages Veritas Wine & Craft Beer and Ciro Food & Drink down on the Riverfront. We are excited to see what his newest venture will bring to Downtown Wilmington!

El Diablo | 837 N Market St

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The opening of this hometown favorite on Market Street has been highly anticipated even since their exterior signage went up last winter. Rumor has it that construction is nearing completion, and El Diablo will soon be opening their doors to satisfy lunch-goers with fast-casual Mexican options.


18 Downtown Wilmington DE Businesses Win Delaware Today's Best of Delaware Awards!

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Delaware Today has released their 2019 Best of Delaware winners and a number of Downtown Wilmington DE businesses have made the list! Both readers and editors have spoken and voted for their favorite local establishments in a variety of categories, ranging from Food & Drink to Retail & Services. The following Downtown Wilmington businesses were awarded their rightful place at number one and we couldn’t agree more!

Reader’s Choice Awards

Editor’s Picks

Also, we couldn’t help but mention our neighbors along the Riverfront who deserve some recognition too!

9 Awesome Moments for Downtown Wilmington, DE in 2018

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It has been a great year for our city and we want to take a moment to celebrate some of the major milestones. While we are only referencing events within the Downtown Visions Business Improvement District, there have been many, many more city-wide impactful moments as well.

  1. When Out & About Magazine Took Over and Enhanced the Wilmington Art Loop

  2. Stitch House Brewery’s Grand Opening

  3. The Launch of the It’s Time Campaign

  4. The Reinvention of the Hotel du Pont

  5. Margaux’s Grand Opening

  6. When Wilmington Green Box Reached their $15,000 Sponsorship Milestone

  7. Bardea’s Grand Opening

  8. The Residences at Mid-town Park, Burton Place and Mid-town Garage Opening

  9. The Grand Opening of Eat Clean Juice Bar

Thank you to the City of Wilmington’s major game changers for their immense contribution this year. Organizations such as the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation, NewMarketWilm.com, DE.TV, INWilm, and many, many more are making sure Wilmington continues to grow and thrive for generations to come. To all those individuals and businesses, the Downtown Visions team is extremely grateful for you!

Shop Downtown and Enjoy Free Holiday Parking in Downtown Wilmington, DE

Free Holiday Parking

Mayor Mike Purzycki and Department of Finance Director Patrick Carter also remind citizens that the City of Wilmington’s holiday season parking meter policy will be in effect from Friday, November 23, through Monday, December 31, 2018. To support holiday shopping during this period, from Noon to 6:00 p.m. each weekday, the City will not require payment at parking meters in the Downtown Business District (defined as the area bounded by 2nd Street to 12th Street, and by French Street to Washington Street) and in the Riverfront Business District. Official holidays such as Christmas Day (December 25) remain free all day. A two-hour parking limit will remain in effect, however.

Exceptions to this temporary parking policy involve streets designated as “tow-away zones,” where no stopping is allowed at those meters at the times posted. All applicable traffic regulations, other than those requiring payment at parking meters, will be enforced, including time-limited parking (two-hour or one-hour parking as designated by signage) or overtime parking, bus stops, fire hydrants, double-parking and parking too close to pedestrian crosswalks, etc.

7 Magical Holiday Events in Downtown Wilmington DE for Your Bucket List

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1. 55th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade Saturday, November 24, 2017 at 11 AM Begins at 5th and King Street and ends in Rodney Square Wilmington, DE

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

The Wilmington Jaycees are currently planning for the 55th Annual Wilmington Jaycees Christmas Parade to be held in Downtown Wilmington on Saturday, November 24th at 11am. This year’s Parade will again feature:

  1. • Local celebrities and dignitaries
    • Marching and String Bands
    • Community organizations
    • Floats and attractions
    • Statewide Pageant Winners
    • Your Favorite Cartoon Characters

    And the Star of the Show – Santa Claus! Elves will be accepting Christmas wish lists from children for Santa. Children who provide their name and address will receive a response from Santa in December.

Learn More…

Read about last year’s parade festivities…

2. Small Business Saturday November 24th 2018 Various Shops in Downtown Wilmington, DE

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Photo Credit: Moonloop Photography

Following the Wilmington Jaycees Christmas parade, start the shopping season by supporting local businesses that create jobs, boost our economy, and preserve neighborhoods around our country. The Market Street corridor is full of unique shops and dining experiences. There will be some surprise pop up shops as well!

Learn More…

Caroling and Tree Lighting Rodney Square Wilmington, DE Tuesday, December 4th 2018

Photo Credit: North Delaware Happening

Photo Credit: North Delaware Happening

Please join Mike Purzycki - Mayor of the City of Wilmington, and Acting Cultural Affairs Director Tina Betz for Wilmington’s official lighting tree lighting and caroling to kick-off the holiday season. Get in the holiday spirit with your friends, on Tuesday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m. in historic Rodney Square at 10th and North Market Streets.

Gather with family, friends and neighbors at this popular gathering to get into the holiday spirit while helping those in need. Mayor Mike Purzycki and members of City Council will light the City’s Tree, and sing holiday carols led by local choral groups.

Learn More…

4. Ice Skating at Horizon’s Riverfront Rink 308 Justison Street Wilmington, DE 19801

The Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware is pleased to reopen The Horizon Services Riverfront Rink for its 5th season. This family-oriented, outdoor ice skating rink provides fun for all ages! The 2018/2019 season will operate November 23rd through the end of March 4, 2019. The Riverfront Rink is able to accommodate approximately 350 skaters at once and will be open 7 days a week with extended hours during the holiday break. The Horizon Services Riverfront Rink not only brings the fun winter tradition of skating to the Wilmington Riverfront, it will also offer numerous programs and promotions throughout the skating season. Lace up your skates and we’ll see you at the rink!

Learn More…

5. The 52nd Annual Nutcracker at The Playhouse on Rodney Square December 8th and 9th 2018

This holiday season, be treated to something very special, a performance that lifts your holiday spirits and evokes joy in kids of all ages. Wilmington’s beloved annual holiday tradition at the Playhouse on Rodney Square turns 52 this year!  Come to our Nutcracker and experience an opulent theater with a full orchestra and chorus, world class guest artists, and 100 talented dancers from the Wilmington Ballet and the HAC School of Dance. Follow the dancers as they party, battle, and enchant you with their beautiful dancing. Make The Nutcracker a part of your family’s holiday tradition, and experience the magic of this beautiful, timeless ballet.

Learn More…

6. A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage The Grand, Copeland Hall Saturday, December 8th 2018

Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life in the all-new touring production A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE! Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang as they produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE is a present the whole family can enjoy! 


Adapted from Charles M. Schulz’s timeless story of the spirit of Christmas, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS LIVE ON STAGE features the unforgettable music of Vince Guaraldi, as well as a concert of beloved holiday carols performed by the Peanuts characters. There’s no better magic of the season. 

Learn more…

7. Cirque Dreams Holidaze The Playhouse on Rodney Square November 23rd-November 25th 2018

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE is a new cirque adventure, Broadway musical and family holiday spectacular wrapped in one! This incomparable phenomenon features over 300 imaginative costumes, 20 world-class astonishing acts, the finest singers, original music and seasonal favorites celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. 

Audiences of all ages will be mesmerized for 2 hours and marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production numbers the Boston Globe hails “Entrancing…Las Vegas meets family entertainment." 

Learn More…