Lani Schweiger
The Downtown Wilmington App

Downtown Visions released the Downtown Wilmington App, a one stop shop for all the happenings in Downtown Wilmington, DE.

The Downtown Wilmington App
Lani Schweiger
Community Highlight: Christina Cultural Arts ...

In this month’s blog, we are highlighting the Christina Cultural Arts Center Inc. Executive Director, James “Ray” Rhodes discusses the history of the Christina Cultural Arts Center and its importance to our community.

Community Highlight: Christina Cultural Arts Center

Dine in Downtown Wilmington - Restaurants are ready to serve you!

Behind the bar at Makers Alley - Moonloop Photography

Behind the bar at Makers Alley - Moonloop Photography

As Delaware eases restrictions and begins to reopen restaurants across the state, we’ve compiled a list of Downtown Wilmington eateries that are ready to serve you. Whether you’re dining inside or out in the fresh air, reservations are required at most restaurants so be sure to call ahead. Also, masks should be worn when entering the restaurant but may be removed when you are seated so you can enjoy your meal.

  • Stitch House Brewery | 302-250-4280 | Open Mon-Sat 11am to 8pm

  • Tonic Steak & Seafood | 302-777-2040 | Open Mon-Wed 11:30am to 10pm, Thurs-Fri 11:30am to 11pm, Sat 3:00pm to 11pm

  • Chelsea Tavern | 302-482-3333 | Open Mon-Fri 11:30am to 1am, Sat-Sun 10am to 1am

  • Cafe Mezzanotte | 302-658-7050 | Open Mon-Fri 11am to 10pm, Sat 1pm to 10pm

  • Makers Alley | 302-482-1299 | Open Tues-Sat 3pm to close *

  • IM Coffee | 302-300-4935 | Open Mon-Fri 7am to 4pm

  • Mikimoto’s | 302-656-8638 | Open Weds-Fri 4-9pm, Sat-Sun 2-9pm

  • Washington St Ale House | 302-658-2537 | Open Tues-Sat 4-10pm

  • Torbert St Social | 302-407-6627 | Open Fri-Sat 4 to 11pm

  • Dorcea | 302-691-7447 | Open Tues & Sat 4-8pm, Weds-Fri 11:30am to 8pm

  • Jimmy Johns | 302-777-1300 | Open Mon-Fri 11am to 3pm *

  • Bardea | 302-426-2069 | Open Mon-Weds 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5 to 9pm, Thurs-Sat 11:30am to 2:30pm & 5 to 10pm

  • La Fia | 302-543-5574 | Open Mon-Thurs 11am- 2pm & 5-9pm, Fri 11am- 2pm & 5-9:30pm, Sat 5-9:30pm

  • Farmer & The Cow | 302-407-5957 | Open Tues-Sat 12 to 7pm

  • Eat Clean | 302-476-8928 | Open Mon-Fri 7am to 2pm *

  • Tasties 302 | 302-482-2584 | Open Mon-Thurs 11am to 10pm, Fri-Sat 11am to 11pm, Sun 11am to 9pm *

  • Brew HaHa (Del. Ave. Location) | 302-777-5137 | Open Mon-Fri 8am to 1pm *

  • Cavanaugh’s | 302-656-4067 | Open Mon-Fri 11am to 7:30pm

  • Green Box Kitchen | 302-274-2195 | Open Weds-Fri from 12 to 5pm *

*No reservation required.

If you are looking for additional ways to support these restaurants and help them bounce back from COVID-19 and other recent events, please consider donating to the Wilmington Strong Fund, which offers grants to small businesses within the City of Wilmington to ensure they remain open for business.

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Get Back to Business: Resources for Assistance

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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.

View Application

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.

Donate Now

Image Credit: Moonloop Photography

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Wright & Simon Celebrates 85th Anniversary!

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Wright&Simon

In March, Wright & Simon celebrated their 85th Anniversary! Though the celebration did not go as planned due to the corornavirus pandemic, friends from the Wilmington Police Downtown & Riverfront Unit still found a way to honor this incredible milestone by presenting the owner, Len Simon, with this plaque.

J. Louis Simon, Morris M. Simon, and James H. Wright founded the store in 1935 at 109 West Ninth Street before moving to their new store at the present location of 911 North Market Street.

Through the years, Wright & Simon has maintained the maximum standards of quality, character, and fitting. They look forward to continuing to serve their loyal patrons and also to give new generations of patrons the pleasant surprise of learning a new concept of satisfaction in clothing purchases, available only where quality, character, and perfect fitting come together.

Having shifted from selling off the rack to offering ‘made to measure’ wears, Wright & Simon has withstood the test of time on Market Street. With a legacy like this, nothing is going to prevent Simon from keeping the tradition alive, not event COVID-19.

After 85 years in business, Simon is eager to get back to business serving his loyal customers. "I'm ready to go!" said Simon to ABC News after learning of Carney’s plan to ease restrictions on businesses. "When I first got the news I was somewhat re-energized and feel good about it. It's a start." (Read the full story here.)

CBS Philly also interviewed Simon regarding business during the health crisis, but as the story noted, “no one is dabbling in double-breasted blazers” right now.

Come June 1st, Simon will be ready to open his doors and provide finely crafted men’s clothing once again and our Downtown community will be there to support him. Please join us in congratulating Wright & Simon on the momentous occasion and continue to #ShopSmall now and always!

Learn more about the history of the business and the “Simon Legacy” on their website wrightandsimon.com.

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Shop Small and Support Downtown Businesses Online!

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Shop Small community banner.png

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.

Support Downtown Wilmington Businesses And Win $25!

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Support Downtown Wilmington DE small businesses through our social media contest! Share a recent purchase from a Downtown Wilmington business on social media for a chance to win a $25 gift card to one of our local small businesses.

1. Use #ILoveDowntownWilmDE
2. Tag the business you supported
3. Tag @downtownwilmde

We will pick a lucky winner each week to receive the gift card!