Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (BPG) is bringing a small pin bowling alley and arcade at the site of the Ernest & Scott Taproom at 902 N. Market St. in downtown Wilmington.
The 5,700 square foot space, will become a duckpin alley and pinball arcade with food and beverages. Opening is slated for fall of this year.
Friday, will be the last day Ernest & Scott Taproom is open to the public. However, gift cards and Groupon vouchers will be honored at the nearby Chelsea Tavern at 821 N Market St.
Both restaurants are operated by Joe Van Horn of Open Doors Hospitality Group, which purchased the restaurants after the sudden passing of founder Scott Morrison in 2016.
“I am proud to have kept Morrison’s legacy alive at Ernest & Scotts,” said Van Horn. “He saw the promise of Market Street very early on, and I know he would have been proud to see the growth that Downtown Wilmington has experienced recently. Wilma’s is a welcome addition to Market Street as our neighborhood continues to progress into the next decade.”
Chelsea Tavern will continue to host Ernest & Scott’s events, like the Cinco de Mayo Block Party and seasonal Cigar Dinners, while adding to its own event calendar in 2020 in honor of the restaurant’s 10th anniversary on Market Street.
In addition to an enhanced events calendar, Chelsea Tavern underwent a number of renovations this past year,
Chelsea Tavern features updated flooring, wall covering, and lighting within the dining room. The bar also got a refresh with a new bar top equipped with USB outlets for smartphones.
This year, restaurant goers will notice changes outside including new patio furniture and upgraded landscaping.
Chelsea will remained committed to staying open until 1 a.m. every night of the week with the restaurant making deliveries with Grubhub, according to Van Horn.
Other Buccini/Pollin Group’s projects include recent investments in the area include Makers Alley, DECO, Bardea, Stitch House, 76ers Fieldhouse, The Queen, Penn Cinema, Constitution Yards Beer Garden and others.
Development in downtown has also been driven by apartment construction, primarily from Buccini/Pollin Group. The new residents are looking for amenities in a downtown that had been known for “rolling up the sidewalks” at night.
“Downtown residents and visitors alike have continually requested more things to do in Wilmington that are not solely focused on food and alcohol,” said Rich Snyder, director of Food & Beverage for the Buccini/Pollin Group. “While we certainly support the thriving culinary scene in Wilmington, we believe Wilma’s will strike the perfect balance between recreation and dining, no pun intended.”
The Buccini/Pollin Group, Inc. (Buccini/Pollin) is a privately held, integrated real estate acquisition, development and management company with offices in Washington DC, Wilmington, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Buccini/Pollin has developed and acquired hotel, office, residential, retail, and parking properties throughout the United States. Buccini/Pollin has acquired, developed and owns real estate assets having a value in excess of $5.0 billion, including over 40 hotels, 7 million square feet of office and retail space, 10 major residential communities and multiple entertainment venues, such as Talen Energy Stadium, home of the Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer team. The principals of Buccini/Pollin, along with PM Hotel Group (hotel operating company), BPG|360 (office property management and leasing), ResideBPG (residential property management and leasing), BPGS Construction (construction management), oversee all aspects of project acquisition, finance, development, construction, leasing, operations, and disposition for its portfolio properties. The Buccini/Pollin Group has over 3,500 employees in 12 states. For more information, please visit www.bpgroup.net.
Open Doors Hospitality Group operates Chelsea Tavern, Ernest & Scott Taproom and Chelsea At The Grand Catering.