Christiana Mall’s reopening was the top story in June for Delaware Business Now’s website. Traffic on the site moved toward more normal levels, although the number of visits remained double the figure of June 2019.
The number of subscribers to this newsletter is nearing 5,400 mark, a 47 percent gain from a year ago at this time.
Back to malls. Delaware was slower than some Sun Belt states when it came to opening retail, but moved at a slightly faster pace than neighboring Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Early visitors to the mall may have been disappointed as many stores were slow to open.
June saw former Vice President, Delaware U.S. Senator and presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden keep a low profile.
Biden did make a trip to Wilmington to meet with residents about continuing unrest following the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
Biden became more visible as the month ended in stepping up criticism of President Donald Trump.
While the state is not seeing the spikes in coronavirus cases that are taking place in the Sun Belt, a troublesome outbreak was reported in Coastal Sussex County in the waning days of the month.
The beach economy is vulnerable to the virus, due to an environment where summer staff live, work, and hang out in close proximity. As we learned this week, having a sometimes solitary job, such as a lifeguard, is not guarantee that the virus can be avoided.
Here are the top seven stories for the month.
- Christiana Mall reopens today
- Updated: Biden visits downtown Wilmington after looting, vandalism on Saturday night
- Christiana Mall store roster grows on first reopening weekend as Apple, Penneys stores remain closed
- Covid at the Delaware beach – Testing recommended after 112 are found with virus
- Four families buy townhomes at former Walt’s restaurant site in Wilmington
- March in Dover snarls traffic, looting of Dover Mall store reported
- Reward offered for info on suspects who took 35 firearms from Newark area gun shop
Bar headline confusion
There was some confusion yesterday among headline writers when Gov. Carney announced restrictions on bars. While the popular beach bar areas with stools are off limits in much of Coastal Sussex, you can order a drink from the table. Details are available in the story below.
Holiday break
The Delaware Business Now newsletter will not be posted on Monday, the final day of the Fourth of July long weekend. Breaking news updates will be pushed out as warranted.
Enjoy the evening and wear that mask if in a public place and everywhere but the water in Rehoboth Beach – Doug Rainey, chief content officer.
