Downtown restaurants to expand outdoor dining; curbside pull-in spots for both retail businesses and restaurants available for pick-up/curbside delivery

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki today joined Marty Hageman from Downtown Visions and Jennifer Kmiec from The Committee of 100 in announcing “Curbside Wilmington,” a new initiative designed to support local businesses and encourage patrons to return to the rejuvenated Downtown District this summer. “Curbside Wilmington” will enable Downtown restaurants to expand their outdoor dining into former parking spaces directly in front of their businesses, thereby allowing more seating at safely spaced distances in accordance with Governor Carney’s guidelines. Also, curbside pull-in spots have been designated throughout the Downtown area for all businesses, both retail and restaurants, to use for pick-up and curbside delivery. A list of participating restaurants is included at the end of this release.
 
The Mayor said he hopes to see this new business re-opening model applied to other restaurant districts in the City in the weeks ahead. “We are bringing back the vibrant, exciting heart of the Downtown Restaurant District, which the COVID-19 pandemic virtually shut down overnight a few months ago,” said Mayor Purzycki.  “While businesses small and large across Wilmington are struggling to adapt to the new environment, we are happy to partner with our friends at Downtown Visions and The Committee of 100 to lend support to businesses trying to meet new challenges.”
 
“Downtown Visions is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Office and The Committee of 100 to help restart our dynamic Downtown restaurant scene,” said Martin Hageman, Executive Director of Downtown Visions. “The diverse eateries that run the length of Market Street and surrounding streets are critical to the economic health of our City.”
 
Jennifer Kmiec said The Committee of 100 is also pleased to support “Curbside Wilmington” to provide enhanced outdoor dining experiences and convenient pick-up/delivery zones to help downtown restaurants and retailers.
 
Downtown Visions will provide additional tables and chairs to restaurants as needed, and custom-made railings created by the Challenge Program will be used for both safety and esthetical purposes. FREE valet service through Gala Valet will be available starting this week to allow customers to safely park Downtown to dine and/or shop. The service will be available Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at three locations: the intersections of 5^th and Market, 7^th and Market, and 9^th and Market streets. Meanwhile, Downtown residents will be allowed to park in Colonial Parking lots for FREE by calling Colonial directly at 302.651.3600. The City and its partners today also thanked JP Morgan Chase for its support of the new “Curbside Wilmington” efforts and The Grand for providing outdoor space at its theater for music and entertainment.
 
Participating restaurants include:
Bardea Food & Drink             
Café Mezzanotte                    
Cavanaugh’s Restaurant        
Chelsea Tavern                      
DiMeo’s Pizza                            
El Diablo                                 
Farmer & The Cow                 
Green Box Kitchen   
Jimmy John's              
La Fia Bistro                            
Makers Alley                          
Stitch House Brewery            
Tasties 302                             
Tonic Bar & Grille