Downtown Visions released the Downtown Wilmington App, a one stop shop for all the happenings in Downtown Wilmington, DE.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we reached out to two notable women in Downtown Wilmington who have contributed to the vibrancy and enhancement of our community. Jean Dahlgren, President of Delaware College of Art and Design (DCAD) and Eunice LaFate, artist and owner of LaFate Gallery, reflect on their journeys to joining the Downtown community.
Ernest Green Interview at the Wilmington Public Library
The month of February dedicates its 28 days to recognizing and celebrating African-Americans
and honoring their contributions to society. During the month, Downtown Wilmington
businesses are hosting special events to educate, remember, and celebrate African Americans’
achievements throughout history.
The Wilmington Public Library is hosting The Living Legend series for Black History Month.
Ernest Green | Feb 17
Ernest Green is one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African American students who, in
1957, were the first black students ever to attend classes at the segregated Little Rock
Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Green was the first African American to
graduate from the school in 1958.
Green’s interview will be with CNN Commentator Bakari Sellers.
Pam Grier | Feb 23
Actress Pam Grier is best known for her portrayal of tough and sexy crime fighters in the
1970s genre of “blaxploitation” films such as ‘The Big Bird Cage’, ‘Coffy’, ‘Foxy Brown’
and ‘Sheba Baby’. Her later work in the 1998 film Jackie Brown earned her a Golden
Globe nomination.
Tonya Baynes will be moderating the conversation.
Rekindle the love in your life this month with Clifford Brown Year Round! On 2/18 at the
new CSC Station, enjoy performances by Maya Belardo, Nadjah Nicole, Jea Street
(and many more!) as they answer the question “How Do You Sing Love?” Buy your
tickets today!
A virtual link will be available for those who cannot attend in person.
These songs have become deeply embedded in American culture and modern faith, songs whose creators — often enslaved Black Americans — have gone largely unacknowledged, their names lost to time. Featuring the Wilmington Children’s Chorus and narrated by Bebe Coker.
Free parking in the church parking lot. Click here for directions.
The event will be live-streamed for those who cannot or choose not to attend in-person here at our church. Click here to view SsAM’s YouTube Channel.
A free-will offering will be collected from those attending.
Award Winning Folk Artist, Eunice LaFate presents a month-long exhibition called “Black History Month…Diverse Perspectives.” The exhibition features art representing a range of perspectives and moments in Black History.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11AM-5PM
Take some time this month (and all year) to shop and eat at local Black owned businesses in Downtown Wilmington. Below are a list of Black-owned businesses you can help support!
Opened in October of 2021, enjoy classic breakfast options and American favorites for lunch and dinner. You crave it, Amity Bistro will provide.
Artzscape is an innovative performance and event space for theater, music, comedy, poetry, art, and social events.
From breakfast to dinner, Evelyn’s Soul Food has you covered. Stop by and grab some delicious soul food that’ll keep your tummy happy all day long.
With the goal of making healthier eating uncomplicated and easily accessible, Green Box Kitchen offers cold pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, buddha bowls and much more!
Opened in 1993, LaFate Gallery presents a collection of contemporary, traditional, and folk art that reflect Caribbean and American landscapes.
A coffeehouse, gallery, and venue space, Milk & Honey is where the community gathers, and memorable events are held. Make sure to try their famous flat white and one of their many sandwich options.
Dress to the nines with the help of Morgan’s of Delaware. The boutique carries a range of clothes and accessories fit for uptown elegance to downtown edge.
Tasties 302 offers a selection of mouth-watering soul food from southern fried chicken, beef short ribs, and their famous alfredo pasta. Dine-in and take-out options available.
Founded in 2019, The Sold Firm features modern and contemporary emerging, talented visual artists. Their exhibits address a diverse range of cultural subject matters.
I pretty much grew up Downtown in my family’s furniture business (H. Feinberg’s). My parents worked 6 days per week, including Friday nights. So, in the late ‘60’s and early ‘70’s when I was done with school and afterschool activities, I often found myself in the store. But I wasn’t just in the store – I was in the neighborhood that was Downtown. I often ate dinner at the counter at the Federal Bake Shop, where Francis and her sister would feed me and watch over me while my folks were working. I made my rounds to visit with people that were first my grandparents’ and parents’ friends and just like family, but then became mine – the Simons at Wright & Simon, the Morris’ at A.R. Morris Jewelers, the Glicks at Foley Jewelers, the Jacobs at Lucille’s, the Harts at Al’s Sporting Goods, the Braunsteins, the Govatos’, and the Millers at Millers Furniture, among many others. Many of these people are still my friends today,
All of this happened because my grandfather, William Feinberg, famously made a decision in 1965 that renowned Delaware journalist Bill Frank would famously recount in a 1976 News Journal article entitled “The man who believed in downtown” that I still have framed in my home.
Many do not know that in the 1960’s, Wilmington was seen as being in decline. Mr. Frank discussed what would come to be known as the “Market Street Decision”, where my grandfather, despite being heavily recruited and incentivized, and unlike so many other Downtown merchants, chose to relocate his business to Market Street from King Street rather than to the suburbs and the new phenomenon of suburban malls. He was quoted by Mr. Frank as saying “After all, how can I leave the city where I was born (at 6th and Poplar Sts.), and the city where my father started the furniture business (at 301 W. 2nd St.) back in 1901?” This was rightly perceived as a victory for the vitality of Downtown Wilmington. I have always been immensely proud of him for putting his money where his mouth was and betting his and my family’s livelihood on Wilmington, and that in large part explains my passion for this city and the Downtown district.
Many people in Wilmington during the latter part of the 20th century used to talk about whether Wilmington’s business district would ever come back. We really don’t have that conversation anymore. Through the vision and perseverance of many, Wilmington is back - re-envisioned, strong, and thriving. Despite the pandemic, new businesses continued to open in 2020 and 2021, many of them Black and/or Female owned including:
Amity Bistro | 209 N. Market St
ApeXX Bar & Grill | 921 Orange St.
Circa7 | 205 W. 14th St.
Currie Salon | 111 W. 10th St.
Curve Nutrition | 113 W. 8th St.
DE Slider Co. | 204 W. 10th St.
Dorcea | 1314 Washington St.
Humble Fabrics | 306 N. Shipley St.
Le Cavalier at the Green Room | Hotel DuPont
Lux Smoke | 710 N. Market St.
Milk & Honey Cafe | 239 N. Market St.
MKT The Cooper | 212 N. Market St.
Nail’d by Londyn | 231 N. Market St.
Rosenfeld’s Deli | 1204 N. Washington St.
Savoy Gourmet Food | 909 N. Orange St.
Tasties 302 | 825 N. Market St.
The Sold Firm | 800 N. Tatnall St.
Town & Shore Handcrafted | 221 N. Market St.
Wilma’s | 902 N. Market St.
101 Dupont Place | 1007 N. Market St.
And there is an impressive list of exciting things coming soon to Downtown Wilmington including:
Bardea Steak | 608 N. Market St.
Boutique Hotel | 519 N. Market St.
Crosby Hill Apts. | 517 Shipley St.
Saville Apts. | 512 King St.
Westover Apts. | 901 Market St.
To this day I still look to shop small and local, and now maybe you understand why. Nothing against the larger stores or Amazon, but I like to shop where I know it makes a difference. This is by no means a one-way street – I also get personal service and get to visit with some of my old friends and make new ones. While the pandemic has certainly taken its toll, growth and renewal is still the path, due to the perseverance of our businesses and so many of you finding ways to adapt and support them. With the appearance of Omicron this winter, crunch time is here again to support our local businesses as safely as possible. Please do what you can to safely support our Downtown community and eat in, get curbside or takeout, drink, shop in-store and online, attend shows, stay overnight, purchase gift cards, tip generously, support our nonprofits and make donations. It will make a huge difference for each and every one of these neighborhood businesses. At the same time, do yourself a favor – you won’t be disappointed!
Norm Pernick
Senior Advisor
Downtown Visions
Start this year saving big with the Dine Downtown Deal! Save your receipts when dining-in or ordering takeout 5x at your favorite Downtown eatery between 1/1/2022 - 3/31/2022. Once you have 5 receipts text Downtown Visions and 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 (WDBID). It’s that easy!
Take a photo of your receipt
Send it with your name, dining location, and date
To Downtown Visions (DTV) via text message at 302-502-6003.
Get cash back for dining at the Downtown restaurants you love. You even get to pick the Downtown business you want your gift card to!
Limitations May Apply:
Only genuine receipts from eateries within the official boundaries of the Wilmington’s Downtown Business Improvement District (WDBID) are eligible for the Dine Downtown Deal (see map). An eatery is defined as a business whose primary purpose is to prepare and serve food to the general public in sit-down or take-out form. Businesses that sell food products as a secondary function are not eligible as receipt sources. Receipts must be for dine-in or takeout. Gift cards or merchandise from the restaurants are not valid.
Limit of 2 gift cards per participant. You cannot submit more than one receipt from the same location on the same day. The receipts must be legible and submitted along with the customer name, dining location, and the date of the meal. In case of a dispute, DTV has the final authority to decide what receipts are eligible.
Cashback gift cards are limited to 20% of the total of the five (5) valid receipts submitted (before tip) or up to $100 and may be issued to any business located within the WDBID for use in 2022. A total of five (5) receipts must be submitted in order to be eligible for a gift card. Partial submittals have no cash value. Gift cards will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted. Employees of DTV are excluded from the program.
Enjoy holiday discounts and specials at your favorite Downtown small businesses during the 12 Days of Christmas from December 1-12, 2021! Downtown Visions has partnered with Wilmington Alliance and Wilmington Made to bring you unique offers and local gifts to spread holiday cheer with everyone on your shopping list. A variety of Downtown businesses are participating and look forward to helping you #ShopSmall this season while supporting local businesses!
Participating Businesses:
Cavanaugh’s Restaurant - 10% off the Entire Bill.
Circa 7 - Use the code “Holiday Cheer” & Receive a Free Coaster Set with Any Clothing Purchase.
De Slider Co. - ½ off Homemade Rosemary-Lemon Iced Tea with a Purchase of any Slider Meal from 11am to Close.
Eat Clean - Free Wellness Tea with a Purchase of $10 or More.
Jimmy John’s - Mention this Ad to Receive a free side with your Sandwich Purchase.
LaFate Gallery – 50% Discount on Mini Framed Prints and 50% OFF on Double Matted 16x20 Limited Edition Prints.
Morgan’s of Delaware - Save 20% on Clara Sunwoo Liquid Leather Jackets (Only) Until December 24th or Save $20 on Purchases of $100 or more (sale items not included.
Poppycock Tattoo – Free T-Shirt or Tank with Any Online Purchase of $20 or More.
Stitch House Brewery – 15% off with a Canned Good or Toy Donation for the Ronald McDonald House.
*More deals are being added daily!
