Best of 2019: Downtown Visions Year in Review!

As we kick off 2020 and begin a new decade, let’s take a look back at the best year yet for Downtown Visions and Main Street Wilmington. 2019 was filled with growth for Downtown Wilmington, and we are thrilled to have aided in the progress.

Downtown Visions mission is to create, manage, and promote a quality environment for people who live, work, and visit Downtown Wilmington. We do this through a variety of initiatives, including our Main Street Wilmington program. As a Main Street community, Downtown Visions not only preserves historic buildings, but also focuses on small business recruitment, marketing, and promotion.

This past year we achieved our mission through a number of efforts supporting our small businesses. We held monthly Merchant Meetings for Downtown business owners to share ideas and connect with each other. We provided event support for city-wide festivals, like the Ladybug Festival and Downtown Brew Fest, and ongoing marketing support through our social media channels and blog.

Through our Facade Improvement Program, Cavanaugh’s received a grant from Downtown Visions, Comenity Bank and Bank of America to complete a major renovation process that restored their historic building to its former glory in honor of their 30th anniversary on Market Street. We also awarded a grant to LRS Capital Partners for restoring a longtime vacant property on 8th Street.

We also launched two new marketing campaigns to drive traffic during historically slow weeks. Made on Market and Market Made: 12 Days of Christmas were completely free for businesses to participate in simply providing an exclusive offer valid during the week of the campaign. In partnership with New Market Wilm, we handled the creation and promotion of graphics, posters, advertisements, and social media posts during the campaigns.

In March, we attended the National Main Street Conference in Seattle and was an American Express presenter for Small Business Saturday. During the conference, we were awarded a $500 grant towards our Small Business Saturday campaign in Downtown Wilmington.

In December, we hosted the very first Pop-Up Holiday Village and launched our holiday lights display in Willingtown Square. The Pop-Up Village took place after the Wilmington Christmas parade and drew over 600 visitors to the pop-up alone. Vendors saw a boost in sales and expressed positive feedback from the event.

“I thought the event went really well. It was well organized, and it gave us an opportunity to be exposed to new customers,” said Delaware Originals. “I really appreciated the tent being provided as this was a big plus!”

Last, but certainly not least, Downtown Visions celebrated the opening of 20 new businesses within the Central Business District in 2019. These businesses include: Dunkin, BoostMobile, DECO Food Hall, IM Coffee, Wildwich, Girard Craft & Cork, WHYY, Makers Alley, Torbet Social, Faire Market & Cafe, King Creative, Studio Nurture, Drip Café, Three Kings Kustoms, Blitzen, The Chicken Spot, El Diablo, Green Box Kitchen, Jet Phynx, Wilmington Land Bank Conservancy, and ArchCraft.

Downtown Visions works to show the world what an amazing place Downtown Wilmington, Delaware is every day, and we could not do so without help from our incredible community. Please consider donating to Downtown Visions and support our efforts to preserve, progress, and promote Downtown Wilmington all year long!

DTV Safety Ambassadors Announce Extended Hours in 2020!

Safety Ambassadors

Downtown Visions Safety Ambassadors now keep our neighborhood safe 7 days a week from 6AM to 2AM!

Our uniformed ambassadors assist the Wilmington Police Department in keeping Downtown Wilmington safe for all residents and visitors. Each Safety Ambassador receives over 80 hours of in-house training in addition to field training on topics such as crime prevention, customer service, local history and local attractions. Each Ambassador wears a distinctive black and yellow uniform and carries a two-way radio. You can find our Safety Ambassadors patrolling the Central Business District on foot and bikes. 

Feel free to approach our Safety Ambassadors and request information about downtown. They can give you directions, information on restaurants, hotels and local shops — just ask! You can also request a free safety escort by calling (302) 425-4200 x1 to request a free Safety Escort anywhere within the neighborhood during operating hours!

For more information on how to become a Safety Ambassador, contact us.

Kick Off a New Decade With These New Years Eve Events in Downtown Wilmington!

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t’s time to say goodbye to 2019 and extend a warm, prosperous welcome to 2020. Ring in the “Roaring 20s” with all of the razzle dazzle that a new decade deserves. Celebrate New Years Eve in Downtown Wilmington DE with these festive events that are sure to start the New Year off with a bang!

  1. The Green Room at Hotel Du Pont | 42 W 11th Street

    Bring in the new year in style at HOTEL DU PONT's New Year's Eve Party. Feast on a five course dinner with wine pairings in the Green Room at 8 p.m., followed by a live band, dancing, festive party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. Cost is $190 per person; $350 per couple over 21 years of age. Call 594-3154 to reserve your spot.

  2. Torbert Street Social | 305 Torbert Street

    Ring in the New Year at Torbert Street Social. DJ  William Adams from 9:00 AM-1:00 AM plus light fare & passed hors d'oeuvres, welcome punch, champagne toast, midnight pizza, photo booth, and party favors. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased here.

  3. Ernest & Scott Taproom | 902 N Market Street

    Ernest & Scott Taproom in Wilmington is hosting a dance party to kick off 2020. Enjoy live music, a four-hour open bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., a mini dessert bar from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., and a Champagne toast and midnight balloon drop. Price is $65 at the door and discounts are available for groups of six of more. Doors open at 9 p.m. for those 21 and older. Get more information here; for tickets, click here.

  4. Stitch House Brewery | 829 N Market Street

    Ring in the New Year with a BANG! Stitch House is hosting the ultimate NYE Party featuring DJ BIS starting at 10pm. FREE to attend and includes a champagne toast. Feeling lucky? During the two balloon drops you have a chance of finding & winning a $100 gift card hidden inside a balloon. Grab your friends -- 2020 is going to be the best year yet!

  5. Chelsea Tavern | 821 N Market Street

    Celebrate NYE all day long at Chelsea Tavern. Kick off the festivities with a champagne brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., including a a starter, entree, dessert, and glass of champagne all for $25. Keep the party going with the $45 pre fixe dinner menu or the a la carte menu from 4 to 9 p.m. Then finish it off with light fare and dessert menus from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., complimentary champagne toast and party favors included! Call 302.482.3333 to make reservations.

  6. La Fia | 421 N Market Street

    La Fia will be offering their a Five-Course Chef’s Tour for $65 per person with a complementary Prosecco toast. A truly decadent menu featuring Beef Tartare, Venison Loin, and of course, your other favorite dishes. Click here to make reservations.

  7. Riverfront Rink | 308 Justison Street

    Start 2020 off with a bang at a fireworks show on the Riverfront. Horizon Services Riverfront Rink will offer skating, food and drinks from Constitution Yards Beer Garden and live music by WSTW. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.

  8. Docklands Riverfront | 110 S West Street

    Docklands Riverfront in Wilmington is hosting a New Year’s Eve, all-inclusive event on Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. The event package includes a premium open bar, full dinner buffet and live entertainment. Come enjoy DJ Willoughby, DJ B-Lee, Under the Covers and It’s All Good. Tickets range from $70-$100 depending on preferred seating. Visit eventbrite.com for tickets and more information.

*Event information provided by Delaware Today and Visit Wilmington.

Dazzling Holiday Lights Display in Willingtown Square

Stroll through Willingtown Square for a merry & bright holiday lights display this season! Open to the public 7 days a week, Willingtown Square’s holiday lights are lit up for all to enjoy from dusk until dark, but gates to the square are locked at 9pm. Willingtown Square’s holiday lights are on display until February 2020!

Willingtown Square is located at 505 N Market Street directly across from the Delaware History Museum. The holiday lights display is proudly sponsored by Downtown Visions.

As a reminder, free parking options are available all holiday season long in Downtown Wilmington! Click here to learn more.

Market Made: 12 Days of Christmas Deals & Steals in Downtown Wilmington DE

Market Made: 12 Days of Christmas is bringing you locally made specials and exclusive offers from your favorite Downtown businesses on December 12th through December 23rd. Check off the rest of your holiday shopping in Downtown Wilmington DE with these special promotions that celebrate all things Wilmington and support our local small businesses!

The Market Made specials include:

For more details on redeeming these promotions, click here! As a reminder, free parking options are available all holiday season long in Downtown Wilmington! Click here to learn more.

The Market Made campaign is proudly brought to you by Downtown Visions and Wilmington Alliance.