DCAD is Back in Session!

Downtown is excited to have so many new faces on Market Street. It’s been 2 years since the students have been back Downtown experiencing in-person learning at the Delaware College of Art & Design (DCAD).  While the students have been virtual learning for the last 18 months they are ready to be back on campus and the DCAD community and staff couldn’t be happier to welcome new and returning students!

Let's meet the Class of 2023: 

• 53 students are from Delaware, 11 came from Pennsylvania, 9 from Maryland, 7 from New Jersey, and one from Alabama! Wow!

• 95% of students are receiving financial aid (merit scholarships, state and federal grants, loans, etc.)

• Nearly $500K worth of Merit Scholarships were awarded.

DCAD has also been busy with renovations to the 707 King Street residence hall and cafeteria space. Thanks to both the Crystal Trust Foundation and the Longwood Foundation, the HVAC and air handling was completely renovated— another sign of the great things happening in Downtown Wilmington, DE. DCAD President Jean Dahlgren said, “It is so wonderful to welcome our community of artist and designers back to Wilmington, and we hope the community welcomes them as warmly as we do.”

Second-Year DCAD student and RA, Aidel Pedro said “I did well while doing school remotely, but I think that making friends and connections at school is more valuable than the information that I learn. I live in the Residence Hall, and being surrounded by creative people like myself is really inspiring since we all push each other to do better and have similar goals and interests. It's also a great opportunity to sharpen social skills. Artists need to spend a lot of time in solitude to produce art. I like being alone, but I know being isolated too long is unhealthy. Being here in person will help me grow as a person.”

You can help future students by contributing to DCAD's Scholarship Fund. This fund helps offset the cost of attending college in the form of merit-based scholarships and need-based grants.

To learn more or to keep up with what’s happening at DCAD please visit their website at www.dcad.edu.

Kathy Orr of Fox 29 enjoys Curbside Wilmington

Meteorologist Kathy Orr of Fox 29 Philly not only gave the weather this week but she also filmed a live segment in Downtown Wilmington highlighting a few of our amazing Curbside Wilmington businesses.

She started her Curbside Wilmington experience at Stitch House Brewery where she was able to sample a flight of local brewed beers.

Then she headed next-door to Chelsea Tavern to meet owner Joe Van Horn while trying out his signature habanero tavern wings and andouille sausage and sautéed gulf shrimp skewers. Joe talks to Kathy about all the great live music happening Downtown including Curbside Wilmington Happy Hours every Thursday night and the return of the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in Rodney Square. Kathy Orr knows that for those that live out of town visiting Downtown Wilmington is easy, “it’s a great day trip” she says.

She then strolls down Market Street to Bardea Food & Drink where she enjoys a happy hour cocktail known as Blissful Summer, made with infused raspberry gin. She is excited to meet chef/owner Antimo DiMeo who enlightens her with his unique culinary cuisines including grilled cheese flourless gnocchi in tomato soup and grilled beefsteak tomatoes with bergamou sauvignon sauce over focaccia. Kathy raves that it’s the “best grilled cheese ever”.

We were thrilled to host Kathy Orr for the evening in Downtown Wilmington sampling delicious food and drinks along the way. She plans on coming back on her day off to enjoy our restaurants with her family and friends and we suggest you do the same.

Happy Downtown Dining!

FREE PARKING in Wilmington in August!

Looking for FREE parking in Downtown Wilmington DE? Look no further! During the month of August, visitors can take advantage of not one, but THREE free parking options in Downtown Wilmington.

• Free Valet Parking - Friday and Saturday nights from 5-10 PM at the corner of 7th & Market Streets

• Free Nightly Parking - The Wilmington Parking Authority lot at 8th & Orange Streets is free and open to the public if you enter after 6 pm during the week and all day on the weekends.

• Free Metered Parking- The City of Wilmington also offers metered parking through ParkMobile throughout the Central Business District. Metered parking is free on weeknights after 6pm and on weekends.

Additionally, Colonial Parking offers monthly residential parking at a discounted rate on the surface lots located at 5th & Orange Street, 6th & Orange Street, 7th & Orange Street, and 8th & West Street. Contact Colonial directly at 302.651.3600 to learn more and take advantage of this offer!

Best of Delaware 2021: Downtown Wilmington Winners!

This was a tough year for our small businesses and we missed out on a lot but we want to celebrate those who overcame, persevered and are back and better than ever! Our Downtown winners thought outside of the box with innovative ideas and hardwork and now its time to applaud them.

Delaware Today announced this year’s Best of Delaware 2021 winners thanks to readers and editors throughout the state that nominated and voted for their favorite Delaware Businesses, and over xx establishments in our very own Downtown Wilmington community! We can’t wait to celebrate this year at the Best of Delaware party on September 30th at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

Please join us in congratulating these well-deserving businesses by supporting their hard work by visiting their in-store location, ordering take out, or purchasing a gift card!

Best Places for Shopping & Services:
Tattoo Parlor, Editors: Poppycock Tattoo

Best Food & Drink:
After-Work Drinks, Editors: Makers Alley
Artsy Latte, Editors: Milk and Honey @ Loma
Brunch Variety, Editors: Le Cavalier
European Bistro, Editors: La Fia Bistro
Fresh Mex to Go, Editors: El Diablo
Grain Bowl, Editors: Green Box Kitchen
Innovative Plates, Editors: Bardea Food + Drink
Mocktail, Editors: Torbert Street Social
New Menu, Editors: Tonic Steak & Seafood
Workday Lunch Spot, Editors: DE.CO Food Hall
Coffee Shop, Editors: Brew HaHa!
New Restaurant, Editors: Dorcea
Sushi, Editors: Mikimotos
Weeknight Specials, Editors: Chelsea Tavern 
Japanese, Readers: Mikimotos
Best Coffee, Readers: Brew HaHa!
New Restaurant, Readers: Dorcea
Sushi, Readers: Mikimotos
Wilmington/Center City Restaurant, Readers: Chelsea Tavern 

Best Fun & Leisure Activities: 
Hotel, Editors: Hotel Du Pont
Spa Experience, Editors: Currie Hair, Skin & Nails (at Hotel DuPont)
Stage Performances, Editors: The Grand Opera House and The Playhouse on Rodney Square

 People Who Make the First State Unique:
Local Designer, Editors: Liv McClintock

Generous Donations Help Fund Main Street Wilmington Program

Downtown Visions was recently awarded grants from Comenity Bank, Bank of America, and M&T Bank to support the efforts of the nonprofit’s Main Street Wilmington program. Without this generous support from our donors, Downtown Visions would not be able to run the programs, events, and initiatives for the Downtown community.

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

These grants 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, through our Facade Improvement Program.

• Boost economic development of businesses operating in the Wilmington Downtown BID by providing marketing and event support, and event creation, such as Curbside Wilmington.

• 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.