Crisis Resources for Small Business Owners

Hospitality Emergency Loan Program

To assist hospitality-related businesses in Delaware that have been economically impacted by COVID-19, the Division of Small Business has launched the Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP). This program makes available no-interest loans of up to $10,000 per business per month and is open to businesses with less than $1.5 million in annual revenue and have been operating for at least 12 months.

The loans are intended to help the estimated 2,700 affected Delaware businesses in the hospitality industry cover immediate, unavoidable expenses over the next few months.

Small Business Assistance

Delaware was approved for an Economic Injury Disaster Declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These loans assist small businesses, nonprofits and more, in meeting ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as the result of a disaster, in this case, COVID-19.

You can apply for a loan through the program here and to view terms of the loans, interest rates and more, please visit this site.

Please gather or complete these materials for your application which will be available online later this week.

Unemployment Update

The Department of Labor announced adjustments in unemployment rules for hospitality workers due to COVID-19. These adjustments will permit hospitality employees to earn part-time income while collecting benefits, provided employees can demonstrate decreased hours and earnings. The Department of Labor is working to make benefits available within one week of a claim being received.

Learn more here.

Support Local Businesses Now More Than Ever

Image Credit: Common Deer

We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. During this time of uncertainty, we need to do all we can to support these businesses, and their staff, by:

• ordering takeout

• purchasing gift cards

• following them on social media

• spreading the word about their offers

• posting a positive review

Please consider helping our small business owners and #ShopSmall during this crisis and always!

Downtown Wilmington DE Restaurants Open for Takeout!!!

Updated: May 11, 2020

With the recent limitations placed on Delaware restaurants, taverns, and bars by local government, we decided to compile a list of Downtown Wilmington DE restaurants open to make life a little easier for everyone. Delawareans should continue to support these businesses, and their workers, by ordering takeout and delivery during these uncertain times. Please be mindful, if you are able to order directly from the business and pick-up from them

*We understand the convenience of mobile delivery services during this time. However, restaurants are required to pay fees, which can create additional costs for the restaurants and consumers. Every restaurant appreciates your support, however if you are able to leave your house and get outside, curbside pickup is available. Also, parking is currently not an issue Downtown as metered parking is suspended.

As always, remember to support our small businesses and #shopsmall all year long. Your patronage is greatly appreciated.

Bardea 302-426-2069 – Order online (https://bit.ly/3cokPPM) for curbside pickup, family meals, wine & cocktail pairings from Tuesday- Saturday from 3:30pm-7:30pm.

Brew Haha 302-777-5137 – 222 Delaware Ave. location open for to-go, curbside pickup, delivery and online ordering from 8am to 1pm Monday-Friday.

Cafe Mezzanotte 302-658-7050 – Takeout (GrubHub) or call to order. Gift Card Special: Purchase a Gift Card of $50 or more and add an additional 20% to the amount, on us! 

Cavanuagh’s 302-656-4067 - Takeout (http://yac.bz/qH2L) and local walking delivery. Open Monday-Friday from 11am to 7:30pm.

Chelsea Tavern 302-482-3333 – Takeout and delivery (Grubhub) only. Open seven days a week from 12pm to 10pm. Gift Card Special: Buy one Gift Card for $50, Get a $25 Card FREE!

The Chicken Spot 302-358-2381 – Takeout and delivery (Doordash) from Tuesday-Friday 8am-5pm.

DECO – Closed until further notice.

DiMeo’s Pizza 302-655-1427 – Takeout and delivery. Order online through their website or Facebook. Monday-Friday 10am-9pm, Saturday 4pm-8pm.

Dorcea 302-691-7447 – Takeout (Toast app) and curbside pickup. Tuesday and Saturday 4pm-8pm and Wednesday-Friday from 11:30am-8pm.

Dunkin 302-481-6225 – Takeout and delivery (Grubhub). Open seven days a week, 5am-7pm.

Eat Clean – Takeout, curbside pickup and delivery (Doordash with a minimum $20 order). Open Monday-Friday 7am-2pm.

El Diablo on Market Street (302) 561-0569 – Call ahead service and curbside pickup is available Tuesday - Saturday from 12pm - 6pm.

Faire Market & Cafe 302-250-4280 – Closed until further notice. Deli products are currently being sold at Farmer & The Cow.

Farmer & the Cow 302-407-5957 – Curbside, takeout, order online and local delivery. Open Tuesday-Saturday 12pm-7pm.

Green Box Kitchen – Closed until further notice.

Hotel Du Pont – Closed until further notice.

Jimmy Johns 302-777-1300 – Takeout, delivery and order online or over the phone. Open Monday-Friday 10am-3pm. Christina Care and Nemours Hospital employees receive a 30% off discount for non-delivery orders.

La Fia – Closed until further notice. Serving takeout at Crow Bar in Trolley Square.

LOMA Coffee – Closed until further notice.

Makers Alley 302-0482-1299 – Takeout (UberEats or Grubhub) and order online. Open Tuesday-Saturday 4pm-8pm (closed Sunday/Monday). Get 25% off when you using the code COVID25.

Mikimotos 302-656-8638 – Takeout only thru ChowNow (sushi only). Open Monday-Friday 11:30am-7pm, Saturday & Sunday 2pm-7pm.

Mimi Teriyaki – Closed until further notice.

Olympic Subs – Takeout and delivery only. Open 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday. *hours may vary

Starbucks – Closed until further notice.

Sterling Grille – Closed until further notice.

Stitch House Brewery 302-250-4280 – Curbside, takeout, order online and delivery (Grubhub) from all three restaurants (Locale Post, Faire Market, and Stitch House Brewery) available at Stitch House. The limited menu can be viewed on their Facebook page includes family and kid-friendly options and crowlers of beers!

Terra Café – Closed until further notice.

Tonic Bar & Grille 302-777-2040 – Takeout and delivery (Uber Eats & Doordash). Open Monday-Friday 11:30am-7pm, Saturday 3pm-7pm. Gift Card Special: For every $100 purchase, you will receive an extra $25 gift card.

UDairy Creamery – Closed until further notice.

Washington Street Ale House 302-658-2537 – Takeout thru ChowNow. Open Tuesday-Sunday 11:30am-7pm.

Chelsea Tavern Turns 10!

Please join us in wishing Chelsea Tavern a happy birthday on Saturday, March 14th, as the restaurant celebrates its 10th year on Market Street!

Head to Chelsea Tavern for its 10th-anniversary celebration on Saturday, March 14th! The festivities will include live entertainment, $10 food specials, $5 drink specials, and so much more. Past employees are even invited to take advantage of their employee discount for a final time.

Over the past 10 years, Chelsea Tavern has been the literal and figurative heart of Market Street for residents and visitors alike. Whether its been a bite to eat before a show at The Grand Opera House, a late night drink at the bar, or a savory Sunday brunch, Chelsea Tavern has continued to satisfy hungry restaurant-goers with its extensive beer menu and interpretive comfort food. As a 3-time winner of the Delaware Burger Battle, diners have come to expect delicious burgers paired with perfection to one of the 31 beers on tap at Chelsea until the wee hours of the morning.

At the beginning of the year, Chelsea Tavern also announced an enhanced event calendar in honor of the anniversary - and the restaurant stayed true to its promise. The upcoming calendar is jampacked with events, such as: 

• Brewery of the Month Pairing Dinners – Next up Dogfish Head on Thursday, March 26th

• March Draftness - Discount draft beers during all Men’s NCAA basketball games.

• Monthly Cigar Dinners – May through September, 2020

• Cinco de Mayo Block Party - Date TBD

• Downtown Brew Fest – Saturday, August 9th, 2020

• Weekly Geeks Who Drink Trivia & Flight Club on Tuesday Nights

In addition to ramping up the events calendar, Chelsea Tavern underwent a number of renovations this past year to prepare for the momentous occasion. The new and improved Chelsea Tavern features updated flooring, wall coverings, and lighting within the dining room. The bar also got a refresh with a new bar top equipped with USB outlets for smartphones. Additionally, overlooking the new outdoor plaza next door is the best covered outdoor seating area downtown, with new patio furniture and upgraded landscaping.

See the renovations for yourself and stop in to wish Chelsea Tavern a happy anniversary this month!

Where to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Downtown Wilmington DE

Break out your green and head downtown on Saturday, March 14th, to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Wilmington, DE! Whether you’re of Irish descent or simply Irish for the day, there are plenty of events to get in the spirit.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Hooley | ‼️Please note: Parade and Hooley have been cancelled for Saturday‼️

Beginning at noon, the Irish Culture Club of Delaware’s 45th St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Hooley will kick off in Downtown Wilmington. The parade, which lasts about one hour, begins at Fourth and King streets and proceeds up King to 15th Street. Immediately following the parade, the ICCD’s traditional Hooley after party will take place at the corner of King & 12th streets, which features refillable mugs for $20.

Cavanaugh’s Irish Specials | 11:00AM, 703 N Market St

Head to Cavanaugh’s to indulge in tradition Irish fare on Saturday during their special holiday hours from 11:00AM to 8:00PM. Dishes include corn beef cabbage, Guinness beef stew and fish & chips to be paired nicely with Irish drink specials!

St. Paddy’s Loop | 4:00PM, Various Locations

The unofficial start to spring returns with Delaware's biggest St. Paddy's celebration! One $10 cover gains you admittance into all 11 venues and entitles you to a discount on Lyft rideshare services. Downtown venues include Chelsea Tavern, Cavanaugh’s, and Makers Alley! Look for Guinness beer and Tullamore Dew whiskey specials at all Loop venues.

Chelsea Tavern’s 10th Birthday | 8:00PM, 821 N Market St

Celebrate Chelsea Tavern's 10th anniversary on Market Street! Enjoy live entertainment, $10 food specials, $5 drink specials, and so much more. Past employees are even invited to take advantage of their employee discount for a final time!

Spokey Speaky At Stitch House Brewery | 9:00PM, 829 N Market St

If you’re not in the mood for classic Celtic tunes, head to Stitch House! Spokey Speaky will play top notch Reggae for all to enjoy.