2019 Readers' Choice Downtown Wilmington DE Winners

The readers have chosen. The votes are in. The winners announced. Now it’s time to celebrate! Join us in congratulating all of the Downtown Wilmington DE businesses that received recognition in The News Journal and Delaware Online's 2019 Readers' Choice competition.

All of the winners were nominated by and voted for by readers just like you. People from all across the state agree that Downtown Wilmington, Delaware is a thriving center for retail, dining, and entertainment.

Next time you’re out and about in the neighborhood, please give these small business owners the credit they deserve on achieving this incredible accomplishment!

2019 Readers’ Choice Downtown Wilmington DE Winners

• The Grand Opera House – Theater Finalist

• Theatre N - Theater Finalist

• City Theater Company - Theater Finalist

• Poppycock Tattoo & Piercing – Tattoo and Piercing Finalist

• Spaceboy Clothing – Men’s Clothing 1st Place Winner & Consigner, Resale Vintage Finalist

• Wright & Simon – Men’s Clothing Finalist

• A.R. Morris Jewelers – Designer Jewelry Finalist & Jewelry Store Finalist

• Domaine Hudson – Romantic Restaurant Finalist, City Tour Finalist, Wine Bar Finalist

• Mikimotos – Sushi 1st Place Winner & Asian Fusion Finalist

• The Queen – Live Music Venue Finalist

• The Nomad Bar – Live Music Finalist

• Al’s Sporting Goods – Sporting Goods Finalist

• Brew HaHa! – Coffee Shop Finalist

• Drip Café – Coffee Shop Finalist & Brunch Finalist

• UDairy Creamery – Ice Cream Shop Finalist

You're Invited: Downtown Wilmington Meet & Greet!

Downtown Vision’s Executive Director Marty Hageman and City of Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki invite you to an evening of fun and conversation with other special guests as we kick off the holiday season in Downtown Wilmington, DE. Learn more about all of the ways to celebrate the holidays in your neighborhood this season!

All are welcome to attend the quarterly Meet & Greet on Wednesday, November 20, from 5-7 PM at the Delaware History Museum at 504 N Market St. in the Copeland Room. Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

Click Here to register. Registration is requested but not required.

Special thanks to our sponsors: Downtown Visions, NKS Distributors, and Shoprite, and our host Delaware History Museum.

7 New Businesses Opened in Downtown Wilmington DE Over the Summer!

The past few years on Market street have seen a surge of economic development with the opening of new restaurants, apartment communities, and more. The growth of businesses in Downtown Wilmington, DE has yet to slow down with 7 new establishments opening over this past summer (and 3 more just around the corner). Read up on the newest group of businesses that have chosen to call Wilmington home!

Open For Business

Girard & Faire | 216 W 9th St

Girard & Faire kicked off the summer of development in Downtown Wilmington with not one, but two new establishments. First up, Girard Craft & Cork opened in April bringing an upscale liquor store to Girard Street (hence the name) with a keen focus on domestic and imported wines. Sneak through the back of the shop, and you enter Faire Market & Cafe - a gourmet grocery store and made to order counter serving delicious breakfast and lunch options.

King Creative & Studio Nurture | 727 N Market St

Earlier this summer, co-owners of King Creative, Christopher Bruce and Dan Pierce, launched their newly formed Video Production House with a fully functioning Recording Studio at the corner of 8th and Market streets. This is the first of its kind in Wilmington with both a full-scale video production house and an audio recording studio. Above King Creative is also the brand new Studio Nurture offering yoga and meditation classes.

3 Kings Customs | 7 W 4th St

Offering fully customized products, from t-shirts and apparel to dog tags and coffee mugs, 3 Kings Customs can now be your one stop shop for promotional items just around the corner from Market!

Torbert Street Social | 305 Torbert St

Torbert Street Social, the newest venture by Big Fish Restaurant Group, brings a speakeasy-style bar and restaurant feel to Downtown Wilmington in a refurbished 19th century horse stable. Offering a nostalgic sense of class and history, Torbert Street Social brings together a fusion of elusiveness and complexity, serving only the finest spirits ans cocktails. offers a sophisticated cocktail lounge and patio. If you’re looking to disappear for a delicious bite to eat and a uniquely crafted cocktail, come in and see for yourself.

WHYY-TV | 605 N Market St

WHYY-TV has moved its newsroom from the Seventh and Orange streets location in Wilmington to Market Street! Serving the Philadelphia area, WHYY-TV covers local news and features many programs, including interviews with area politicians, shows from PBS and more, all seeking to inform and educate the community. This move puts the studio at the heart of the art and business scene in the city.

Coming Soon

Makers Alley | 804 N Orange St

Although not quite open just yet, Makers Alley is a brand new bar and restaurant coming soon to Downtown Wilmington - complete with a classic Airstream travel trailer turned food truck. Self-proclaimed as a joint for bites, sips, and outdoor vibes, discovered off the beaten path. We can’t wait to see how they have transformed the 19th-century carpenter’s shop into a 21st-century hangout space!

The Chicken Spot | 204 W 10th St

The Chicken Spot is a brand new eatery taking over the location formerly occupied by Benjamin’s On 10th. The menu will feature different varieties of - you guessed it - chicken. The owner, Venu Gaddamidi, also manages Veritas Wine & Craft Beer and Ciro Food & Drink down on the Riverfront. We are excited to see what his newest venture will bring to Downtown Wilmington!

El Diablo | 837 N Market St

The opening of this hometown favorite on Market Street has been highly anticipated even since their exterior signage went up last winter. Rumor has it that construction is nearing completion, and El Diablo will soon be opening their doors to satisfy lunch-goers with fast-casual Mexican options.

Cavanaugh's Celebrates 30th Anniversary on Market Street with Major Renovations through Main Street Wilmington!

Join us in celebrating Cavanaugh’s 30th anniversary on Market Street!

One of Market Street’s oldest operating restaurants, Cavanaugh’s has been serving hungry lunch goers made-to-order sandwiches, salads and burgers grilled to perfection since the late 1980s. Now in its 30th year of business, Cavanaugh’s has become a Market Street staple for fast service, efficient menu items, and delicious lunches.

To mark the momentous milestone, Cavanaugh’s underwent a major renovation process to restore this historic building to its former glory with the help of Downtown Visions’ Main Street Wilmington Program and Facade Improvement Program. Through these programs, Downtown Visions staff oversee each individual exterior improvement project from beginning to end as well as provide grants on a matching basis up to $25,000 per façade improvement. With support from Comenity Bank and Bank of America, Downtown Visions was able to award Cavanaugh’s grant funds towards the restoration of the building facades that face Market and Shipley Streets, installation of exterior signage, and a number of interior renovations.

Since 2010 over 72 businesses have benefited from Downtown Visions’ Main Street Wilmington Program, including Bardea, Stitch House Brewery, Residences Inn, and Eat Clean most recently. For more information on the program and how it could help your business or entrepreneurial venture, click here.

Stop in to see the renovations for yourself and ask about the 30th anniversary special - $3 off lunch (any sandwich, salad or entree per person) during the entire month of October!

Stitch House Brewery & Mascots for a Cure Team Up for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

The official knighting ceremony set to launch Gold Ribbon Ale in support of Mascots For A Cure at Stitch House Brewery will take place Thursday, September 5, at 4PM!

Mascots For A Cure provides HOPE, JOY and LOVE to kids and families battling cancer and other serious illnesses by arming them with the COURAGE and STRENGTH they need to take on their FIGHT. By teaming up with Stitch House Brewery, MFAC will be giving patrons an opportunity to help the cause throughout Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September leading up to the Mascots For A Cure 5K, happening on October 12th in Downtown Wilmington.

“We are honored to find such a great partner in Stitch House Brewery to help spread our message and host our 1st annual 5K event on October 12th. The Gold Ribbon Ale represents the Gold Ribbon many of our families wear in honor of their loved ones fighting cancer. We encourage everyone to come to Stitch House to try it in support, donate what they can and sign up for the 5K.” says Mascots For A Cure’s Chief Impact Officer, Christopher Bruce. 

WHEN: Thursday, September 5th, at 4:00 PM - MFAC’s Own Sir BraveHeart, a Knighted Teddy Bear, will join Stitch House Brew Master Andrew Rutherford and Wilmington’s Mayor Mike Purzycki to Officially Knight the first batch of “Gold Ribbon Ale” and kick off Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. 

WHERE: STITCH HOUSE BREWERY - 829 N Market Street Wilmington, DE 19801 

WHY: To celebrate the launch of the “Gold Ribbon Ale” honoring the kids and families battling cancer and raise awareness about the good work Mascots For A Cure is doing to help. 

WHO: All are welcome to attend, raise a glass to help fight childhood cancer and learn more about Mascots For A Cure. 

For more information on Mascots For A Cure, follow them on Facebook @mascotsforacure or visit their website at www.mascotsforacure.org.