Downtown Wilmington DE

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Small Business Saturday

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Thank you for shopping Small with us on Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season! As always, we encourage customers to stay Downtown and shop local for great deals. Who knows, you may even get to visit with Santa! 

If you can’t make it Downtown you can still support your favorite local businesses by purchasing online or in-store and receiving free shipping to anywhere in the US. Find out which businesses are participating in our FREE HOLIDAY SHIPPING initiative!

The Wilmington Jaycee’s Downtown Christmas Parade

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2024 - SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

The Wilmington Jaycee’s Downtown Christmas Parade will kickoff at 2nd and Market Streets at 11 AM. The Parade will feature local celebrities and dignitaries, marching and string bands, community organizations, floats and attractions, your favorite cartoon characters, and of course Santa Claus. Don’t forget to bring your letters to Santa as the Elves will be collecting them at the end of the parade.

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS DEALS:

Chelsea Tavern, 821 N Market Street
Gift Card Buy One, Get One Gift Card FREE!
Only available Christmas Eve, December 24 from 10am-5pm

Collars’ N Cuffs, 716 N Market Street
Holiday Sweater Sale: Buy One Sweater, Get the 2nd One 1/2 price

CoreTen Fitness, 220 W 11th Street
Buy one hour-long personal training session ($65) and get one session free OR $100 off a package of 10 sessions (reg. price $600).
Offer valid Small Business Saturday, November 30 through December 23rd. Sessions may be gifted but expire within 1 year of purchase. All purchases and bookings must be made through the CoreTen mobile app using promo code "12DaysofFitness
Apple download
Google Play download

Delaware Historical Society, 504 N Market Street
75% off all books and 25% off everything else in our museum store from 11/30 - 12/21, while supplies last. The store is open during Museum hours, Wednesday-Saturday, 12-5 p.m. 

Girard Craft and Cork, 224 W 9th Street
Make your holidays a little brighter at Girard Craft & Cork—your one-stop destination for quality wine, craft beer, and spirits at 224 West 9th Street in Downtown Wilmington. From Monday, December 2nd through Saturday, December 14th, enjoy 5% off beer or spirits or 10% off wine—it’s your choice! Show this digital coupon at checkout to stock up on your holiday favorites and savor the season! (Discount excludes single beers.)

LaFate Gallery, 227 N Market Street 
Double matted prints: 50% OFF
Original paintings: 30% OFF
Coffee mugs with images of Eunice LaFate's original paintings: Buy One, Get 25% off the 2nd One 
Holiday savings available between November 29 through December 24.

Makers Alley, 804 N Orange Street
Gift Card promotion available from 11/22/2024 - 12/23/2024, only in-person
Guests receive a free bar bite or draft beer when they purchase a $50 gift card

The Mill at Market West, 221 W 10th Street 
Start 2025 strong at The Mill at Market West! For just a little more than a few lattes a month, our Community Membership gives you full access to the space during business hours (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), high-speed internet, conference rooms, affordable printing, and a vibrant community. Enjoy your first month FREE and take advantage of perks like bottomless coffee, all while working in a productive environment separate from home or the coffee shop. Scan the QR code to fill out a form and redeem this discount. Must be redeemed by February 28, 2025.

Spaceboy Clothing, 205 N Market Street
Get Free shipping on all online orders until the end of the year and save 20% when you shop in-store.

Theatre N, 1007 N Orange Street
Sign up for Theatre N’s weekly email at TheatreN.com to snag your exclusive code word—and a free medium popcorn! Use the code word from that week’s email when you buy your ticket and enjoy this delicious deal on either Sunday or Wednesday. Because nothing says “holiday magic” like a movie, some buttery popcorn, and a reason to escape the holiday chaos for a few hours. Offer valid for one free popcorn per person, per movie ticket, each week from December 1 to December 22, 2024. Don’t miss out—sign up and pop in! 

Tonic Seafood & Steak, 111 W 11th Street
Receive a $25 bonus gift card with in-store purchase of $100 gift card between November 29th through December 24. Gift cards can be used at Tonic Seafood & Steak or Park Café.

The Queen, 500 N. Market Street
Promotion available 11/30/2024 - end of the year
50% off signature drinks at the Knights Bar during Wednesday’s free,​ Live & Local music series from 4-8pm.

Wilma’s, 900 N. Market Street
Gift Card promotion available from 11/30/2024 - 12/23/2024
Buy $25 – get a free $5 gift card
Buy $50 – get a free $10 gift card
Buy $75 – get a free $15 gift card
Buy $100 – get a free $20 gift card

DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKETS & EVENTS:

Shop Small this season! Save the dates for all the Downtown holiday happenings.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2024

We invite you to the return of the popular Light Up the Square tree-lighting celebration. This cherished holiday tradition will take place on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. in Rodney Square, at 10th and Market Streets. The public is encouraged to join in singing traditional holiday songs with live performances by Gateway Labs Charter School, Martin Hargrove, princess and holiday characters and more. Santa Claus and Rudolph will make an appearance, and Spark’d will be onsite selling hot chocolate, assorted treats, cookies, and bars. DE.CO Food Hall, at 111 West 10thStreet, will host a holiday pre-party beginning at 4:30 p.m. with food and drink specials and with holiday music or head to DECO after the event to enjoy drink specials at the bar.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2024

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024

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Façade Improvement Program

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Within the Wilmington Downtown Business Improvement District, a block-by-block inventory done by Downtown Visions in 2009 showed that 78% of the buildings would benefit from improved façade treatments, in order to improve their appeal and, in many cases, preserve key historic features. The external appearance of a commercial or retail building is a major factor in attracting potential customers. Statistics from the National Trust for Historic Preservation Main Street Center show that for every $1 invested in façade improvements, $18 resulted in increased Downtown business in 2012.

Since 2010, Downtown Visions’ Main Street Wilmington Program has completed seventy five (75) building projects and awarded approximately $810,000 in grants towards the restoration of buildings within Downtown Wilmington. These building projects included the removal of twenty eight (28) exterior roll down security gates, fifty eight (58) new business signs or awnings, new exterior lights in a dark block, the lighting of the Grand Opera House, the repainting of an entire block of buildings, and the complete restoration of fifty six (56) building facades. These improvements directly resulted in several new business openings as well as improving the revenues through visual appeal of forty three (43) existing businesses. This has inspired private owners of neglected buildings to join into the movement to revitalize downtown investing their own funds without the need for public subsidy. Both public and private investment has increased dramatically with the creation of the Downtown Development District administered through the Delaware State Housing Authority and private investment by companies like the Buccini/Pollin Group.

A walk down Market Street proves that our Main Street Wilmington Program has been incredibly successful in the restoration of the once hidden and neglected historic character. The program has inspired others to become partners and new businesses to call Downtown Wilmington their home. It is our intent to continue this needed program along the 9th Street corridor and the side streets connecting with Market Street.

As a part of the Façade Improvement Program the Security Gate Removal Project is designed to not only restore the visual aspects of the buildings, but to also improve the perception of safety in the downtown. External roll down security gates have a negative psychological impact especially on visitors during the evening hours. Because current City Code does not forbid the use of these gates we have felt the need to offer 100% funding towards the removal. To reduce our costs we have managed the project internally and contracted directly with vendors. All grants awarded are for physical improvements and do not go towards soft costs. Since 2012 we managed the removal of 28 external roll down security gates.  Each has expressed interest in doing residential on the upper floors of their properties. The ability to do multiple buildings yielded substantial savings and increased productivity.

Downtown Visions staff oversee the entire project from beginning to end. Grants are offered on a matching basis up to $10,000 per façade improvement.  Gate removal reimbursement up to $10,000 for the removal of an external security gate and installation of a new, interior security gate or shatter-proof glass. Interior fit-out grant funding reimbursement is available up to $10,000 on permanently affixed items and $2,500 for reimbursement grants for awnings or signage.

Many of the vacant or available locations even in prominent locations do not meet current code requirements and the market lease rate is not sufficient to cover the investment needed by the property owner. This cost becomes the burden of the new business which makes the location cost prohibitive. Even with these investments there remain significant gaps in affordable housing opportunities within Downtown Wilmington, both in physical separation between locations and in the ability for individual property owners to finance.

Downtown Visions Main Street Program is currently doing a complete comprehensive inventory of every building within the Business Improvement District (BID). This analysis first will primarily focus on vacant buildings and those with vacant upper floors or underutilized. Each will be evaluated as to square footage, number and size of apartments, condos or commercial units.

Our nationally renowned Main Street Program is designed to help you find the right location, guide you through the process of opening your business, and even find grants and/or funding to help you get started.

Contact Main Street Wilmington, Program Director, Lani Schweiger at lschweiger@downtownvisions.org 

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Main Street Wilmington Program

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Main Street Program Wilmington DE

Main Street®

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately funded nonprofit organization that works to save America's historic places. One of its movements is Main Street®, which is 1) a proven strategy for revitalization; 2) a powerful network of linked communities; and 3) a national support program that leads the field. 

The Downtown Wilmington Main Street® mission is to preserve, promote and enhance the BID through the elements of organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring. Everyone has a stake in a revitalized downtown.

By bringing these groups (small businesses, large corporations & property owners, government, residents & consumers, civic organizations & schools, preservationists & social service agencies), we seek to transform ideas into action for a better downtown, and to foster a spirit of community teamwork to strengthen, revitalize and broaden the economic base.

More about Main Street America® →

Building a better downtown

  • Helping to create 1,800+ jobs

  • Restored 53 building facades

  • Removed 28 roll down security gates

  • Grants to 72 businesses

Our Main Street Wilmington Program is creating jobs by restoring buildings and bringing new businesses to Downtown. Over 194 New Businesses since 2010!

Our job is to create, manage and produce a quality environment for people who live, work and visit Downtown through our community-driven Main Street program. The program is built to support economic growth, urban revitalization and the creation of new jobs. From facade improvement to grand opening events and empowering business community connections — we are investing in your Downtown business community.

Back in March of 2006, Wilmington Mayor James Baker initiated the process of researching the feasibility of starting a "Main Street" program as part of an overall plan to revitalize the City. The result was the formation of a Main Street Steering Committee, a cooperative team of representatives from Downtown Visions, the Downtown Business Association, the City's Office of Economic Development and Wilmington City Council. After many months of meeting and planning, the Main Street Initiative here in Wilmington is in its 12th year.

Spearheaded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a leading advocate for the historic preservation, and Main Street America®, Main Street is a proven community-driven, comprehensive methodology used to revitalize older, traditional business districts throughout the United States. The underlying premise is to encourage economic development within the context of historic preservation. Main Street advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, pedestrian friendly environment, personal service, and a sense of community.

The Main Street Four-Point Approach is a comprehensive strategy that encompasses four distinct areas: Design, Organization, Promotion and Economic Restructuring. Volunteer-driven committees under each of those areas will be working hard to move the program's initiatives along, forming an effective tool for community-based, grassroots revitalization.

The strategy of any Downtown Visions Main Street Wilmington Program is always comprehensive and incremental, understanding that at times more emphasis needs to be placed in certain areas. Having achieved dramatic visual improvements along Market Street through our Facade Improvement Program & Security Gate Removal Project where we managed each property’s revitalization from beginning to end we have gained the respect and credibility with the property owners and businesses we are now able to engage them further. In the past they would simply say no to any programs they felt came from the City. Now they are eager participants.

Our strategy is basic business;

  1. Make the outside of the business appealing

  2. Enable the consumer to find the business in the manner consumer's search today — web & mobile

  3. Guide the business towards being what the consumer seeks

  4. Recruit businesses that create a mix that consumers both need and desire

  5. Tell the story, not through just advertising, rather through engaging conversation through published stories, networking & social media.

The programs and processes we have set in each of our programs are tested, true and are becoming models now for other cities.

We have succeeded! Yet there is so much more to do. No one who visits Downtown Wilmington says it is ugly and dirty. In fact, we constantly receive praise for the dramatic improvements. Now is the time to concentrate on improving the businesses. Engage their potential customers enabling them to be aware the business exists while helping the business to improve their interior and exterior appearance, products, services and marketing. This is the only way to increase their sales and bottom line, which will in turn prompt them to hire more employees, which in turn will create jobs for the community. Most of the jobs created will be entry level which is exactly what is missing for the citizens of Wilmington. Where did you have your first job? I’ll bet it was a small business. Just imagine if each of the over 300 businesses in Downtown Wilmington hired just one person. And it doesn’t stop there…

To date all grants received for programs and projects by Main Street Wilmington have been used for capital improvements to buildings, retail recruitment and job creation. No funds have been used for administration or staffing costs.

 

 

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Downtown Farmer's Market

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Downtown Farmers Market Wilmington DE

The 2024 season of the Downtown Wilmington Farmers Market at Rodney Square will operate every Wednesday, rain or shine, from May 1st through October 30th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market opens for business every Wednesday in the 1000 block of North Market Street, adjacent to the newly renovated Rodney Square. Centrally located, Rodney Square has been the center of great events such as the annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival and is the perfect compliment to the Market. The Downtown Farmers' Market comes to life each Wednesday with an array of the freshest local produce, plants, herbs, flowers, crafts and prepared food.

The Market also offers a large assortment of beautiful handmade items, including arts and crafts, unique jewelry and delicious home baked goods. Stroll the Market and then relax under an umbrella at one the many café tables. Enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch while listening to a variety of free live entertainment.

The Downtown Wilmington Farmers’ Market is produced by Downtown Visions, a private, non-profit company which manages Wilmington's Downtown Business Improvement District and is facilitated by the City of Wilmington. We are dedicated to the goal of a more vital, vibrant Downtown for all.
 

History of the Market

The original Farmers' Market in Downtown Wilmington was an eight block stretch on King Street, one of our major thoroughfares. This Market consisted of local farmers selling produce and other goods from the back of their vehicles and dated back to the early 1900s. With the advent of suburbanization and the modern day supermarket, this practice virtually disappeared in Wilmington.

Trying to revitalize this disappearing but critical part of urban life, the City of Wilmington officially sanctioned a Farmers' Market about 25 years ago, relocating it to a small surface parking lot on Orange Street. Over the years the number of vendors fluctuated, but steadily declined until only two vendors remained. At this point, in 2002, Wilmington Mayor James Baker asked Downtown Visions, the management company of Wilmington's Business Improvement District to assume management of the Farmers' Market. At this point there were only about 9 vendors. Downtown Visions was able to recruit new farmers and other vendors but soon determined that the location lacked the critical pedestrian traffic and accessibility to support the Market and to service the community at large.

Continuing to partner with the City, the Market was moved to a beautiful, but underutilized city-owned public space, Rodney Square. This square is centrally located, flanked by a myriad of Downtown corporations and within easy walking distance to others as well as to Market Street, Downtown's main shopping street.  Nearby Downtown residents were now able to walk to and participate in the Market and it transformed into a true public market where, every Wednesday, from May to October, people can find an average of forty vendors selling fresh produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, lunch foods and more. Customers can have lunch at outdoor tables, enjoy free entertainment and obtain a variety of information at the Downtown Visions information tent.

 

 

For more info Contact:
Tucker Casey
Market Manager
tcasey@downtownvisions.org
409 N Orange St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
302-425-0196