Back By Popular Demand: Dine Downtown Deal & Free Shipping Promotion!

We all know that 2020 was incredibly challenging for our small businesses, and this year is proving to be no different. In order to help them weather this ongoing storm, the Dine Downtown Deal and the Free Shipping Promotion have both been renewed!

Our small businesses, and their employees, are relying on your patronage to remain open during this increasingly difficult time. They have continued to adapt to the everchanging guidelines in order to keep serving their community. Most businesses are now offering online ordering, free delivery, and curbside pickup.

We urge you to #ShopSmall and #SupportLocal in Downtown Wilmington DE.

Dine Downtown Deal

Support Downtown Wilmington DE eateries and you’ll get rewarded! Dine-in or take out 5x between 1/1/21 and 3/31/21, text your receipts to 302-502-6003, and you’ll 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 (BID)! You may still participate in DDD 2.0 even if you received a gift card from phase 1 one the program. For more details, click the link below.

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Free Shipping Promotion

Shop small with the click of a button! Please support Downtown Wilmington DE retailers during this time of crisis. Some of your favorite businesses are even offering FREE shipping for all online purchases. Simply shop online at the following local businesses between 1/1/21 and 3/31/21, and they’ll ship your purchases anywhere within the United States for free:

• Al’s Sporting Goods

• A.R. Morris Jewelers

• LaFate Gallery

• Morgan’s of Delaware

• Spaceboy Clothing

Every small purchase makes a big difference - now more than ever!

Ways to #ShopSmall This Holiday Season in Downtown Wilmington DE

We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. We need to help our small businesses get through this time of crisis. Support these small businesses, and their staff, by shopping local not just this holiday season, but every day.

Ways to #ShopSmall in Downtown Wilmington DE:

• Dine Downtown Deal - Support Downtown Wilmington DE eateries and you’ll get rewarded! Dine-in or take out 5x between 10/1/20 and 12/31/20, text your receipts to 302-502-6003, and you’ll 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 (BID)!

• Free Holiday Shipping - Several Downtown Wilmington DE businesses are offering FREE shipping for all online purchases made through the end of the year. Simply shop online between 11/1/20 and 12/31/20 at participating businesses, and they’ll ship your purchases anywhere within the United States for free!

• I Made an Impact Contest - Enter to win awesome local prizes through Wilmington Made’s I Mad an Impact Contest! Simply text your receipt to 302-433-6078 from any participating business or restaurant dated between 11/28/20 and 12/24/20 for your chance to win!

• You can also support your favorite small businesses by purchasing a gift card, buying the staff a round, making a donation, following them on social media, spreading the word about their offers, and posting a positive review.

It is even easier to visit Downtown Wilmington this month and shop small with the City’s free holiday metered parking program and free Market Street valet both in effect through January 2nd, 2021.

Every small purchase makes a big difference - now more than ever!

Downtown Visions Awarded Grant From Bank of America to Support Main Street Wilmington Program

Downtown Visions was recently awarded a grant from Bank of American to support the efforts of the nonprofit’s Main Street Wilmington program.

From its inception, Downtown Visions’ mission has been to help ignite business creation, enhance service delivery of businesses within the Downtown Business Improvement District (BID), and ensure the BID is aesthetically pleasing, clean, and safe at all times.

During 2020 as the City of Wilmington navigated the phased COVID-19 reopening process, DTV continued to guide the creation of small business support programs and offered services to help Downtown BID restaurants, retail shops, arts organizations, and businesses welcome back customers and clients in a safe, socially distant manner to once again thrive. 

The grant from Bank of America will be used to support DTV’s Main Street Wilmington Program, which provides the following services to the Downtown BID:

• Improve the façades and signage of businesses operating in Wilmington's Downtown BID and ensure authentic restorations of historic buildings by working with the City of Wilmington's Design Review and Preservation Commission and local historical nonprofits, such as the Delaware Historical Society

• Boost economic development of businesses operating in the Wilmington Downtown BID by providing COVID-19 focused marketing, event support, and event creation, such as Curbside Wilmington and the Dine Downtown Deal

• Continue with the visual transformation of Wilmington's Downtown BID to create a vibrant and visually pleasing shopping, dining, and living area through cleaning efforts

• Facilitate connections between civic officials, developers, and business owners to support strong economic growth and investment in the Downtown Business Improvement District.

This grant is part of Bank of America's philanthropic giving efforts in local communities. Awardees were selected for their commitment to addressing basic needs, medical response, and workforce development for individuals and families, in particular during the coronavirus pandemic; and Downtown Visions could not be more proud to receive this monetary support for Downtown Wilmington DE.

Support Downtown Visions This Giving Tuesday

Through our various initiatives ranging from Safety Ambassadors to Façade Improvement, Downtown Visions works to show the world what an amazing place Downtown Wilmington, Delaware is every day. Our mission is to create, manage, and promote a quality environment for people who live, work, and visit our thriving neighborhood.

During this unprecedented year, Downtown Visions remained committed to the Downtown Wilmington DE community and increased their efforts to help our small business owners get back to business.

• Our Cleaning and Safety Ambassadors are essential to the district and continued working 7 days a week from 6AM to 12AM throughout the pandemic. Our crews also provided immediate clean up after the civil unrest in June.

• Downtown Visions implemented new programming to encourage patrons to visit Downtown and support our small businesses, including Curbside Wilmington, Free Valet Parking, and the Dine Downtown Deal.

• Downtown Visionsalso aggregated relief and recovery resources for small business assistance and regularly shared this guidance with business owners.

We plan to continue our mission, but we need your help to maintain our growing community now more than ever before. Please consider donating to Downtown Visions this #GivingTuesday and support our efforts to preserve, progress, and promote Downtown Wilmington!

Downtown Visions also accepts donations via check. Our mailing address is:

Downtown Visions
PO BOX 2000
Wilmington, DE 19899

Every dollar you donate produces an $18 dollar return to the local economy. Downtown Visions is a 501 C (3) non-profit #51-0362299. All contributions are completely tax-deductible and qualify for community reinvestment.

Your contribution will assist in the restoration and improvement of downtown buildings through our many initiatives and earn permanent sponsor recognition. By supporting our Main Street Program, you’ll provide grants to new and existing businesses within the Business Improvement District, and fund community events throughout the year.

Your investment will bear dividends for years to come. We thank you in advance for your generosity this giving season!

Contact us for more ways to support Downtown Wilmington and contribute to our community projects.

Signs of Progress in Downtown Wilmington DE

It’s no secret that 2020 has been a tough year for small business owners across the nation. Between the pandemic shutdown and civil unrest, local businesses have faced unprecedented challenges. While some have sadly been forced to close their doors for good, many have overcome these obstacles by adjusting their business models to provide even more online options for customers.

In Downtown Wilmington DE, not only have our favorite small businesses reopened, but we are pleased to welcome several new businesses to the neighborhood as well!

Grand Openings

Milk & Honey | 239 N Market St

Milk & Honey will open its 2nd cafe & gallery in Wilmington on Market Street in the space formerly occupied by LOMA Coffee. The doors are set to open sometime in October!

Rosenfeld’s Jewish Deli | 1204 N Washington St

Rosenfeld's, a traditional, kosher-style deli, is set to open its 4th location on September 30th in Downtown Wilmington next to Washington Street Ale House!

Dorcea | 1314 N Washington St

Dorcea, an inviting American bistro with lots of local beers on tap, opened in the former Domain Hudson space in April in the middle of the pandemic. They use the best ingredients and provide a great atmosphere for dining on Washington Street!

101 dupont place | 101 W 10th St

Live in an icon! 101 dupont place apartments draws from the elegance of yesterday paired with the conveniences of today to create the first luxury living experience within the iconic Dupont Building in downtown Wilmington, DE.

Le Cavalier at the Green Room | 42 W 11th St

Influenced by the flavors of North Africa and Provençe, Le Cavalier is a neo-brasserie inside the Hotel Du Pont offering thoughtfully sourced French classics and inventive riffs on French staples paired with natural wines designed to complement the fare.

Rodney Square Renovation | 1000 N Market St

It's been one year since shovels were put to dirt and the start of the Rodney Square's renovation truly began. Not only is the fountain operational, but there's also new grass, new lighting in place, and new, replanted flower beds around the Square. There's still more to come, but we're excited about the changes we've seen.

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Grand Re-Openings

DECO Food Hall | 111 W 10th St

After being closed since March, DECO food hall finally reopened for indoor/outdoor dining on September 14th. In response to the pandemic, the food hall also introduced new “DECO On The Go” offerings, including all-in-one take-out and delivery.

Academy for Peace | 203 N Market St

On August 22, Dr. Jay celebrated the reopening of the Academy for Peace and the residency of local artist 7God. His art is dedicated to mental health awareness and on display for all to see at 203 N. Market Street!

Convenient Store | 201 W 9th St

After being closed for months, owner Sam Patel reopened the Convenient Store on August 21 with a number of renovations. The Convenient Store keeps the neighborhood happy, selling snack foods, candy, beverages and other goods. It’s also a Delaware State Lottery Retailer, Sports Lottery retailer, and Keno Lottery.

Al’s Sporting Goods | 200 N Market St

Al’s Sporting Goods has been a part of the Downtown Wilmington community for 85 years. Despite heavy looting during the protests, Al’s remained committed to the community and reopened on July 20th with unwavering support from customers. See Al’s first for all your athletic and fashion needs in Downtown Wilmington.

The Queen | 500 N Market St

The Queen Theater reopened on June 24th with enhancements and a renewed focus on local entertainment. The brand new Knight’s Bar and terrace, located just off the main entrance, offers live, local music every Wednesday through Saturday night.

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We rely on our local businesses to create thriving neighborhoods for our residents and visitors every day. Now more than ever before, we need to help our small businesses get through this time of crisis. Please help our support these businesses, and their staff, by:

• ordering takeout

• dining in (& out)

• purchasing gift cards

• following them on social media

• spreading the word about their offers

• posting a positive review