A number of eateries in the Trolley Square will offer expanded outdoor dining along Delaware Avenue Friday afternoon and continuing through Sunday, weather permitting.
The new “Dining on Delaware” initiative kicks off today and will result in the closure of Delaware Avenue between North Clayton and North DuPont street as well as North DuPont Street and North Scott Street beginning at 4 p.m. as dining tables are set up.
Dining on Delaware” is an expansion of the “Curbside Wilmington” initiative launched in June to assist local businesses and encourage patrons to return to the Downtown District over the summer.
That ongoing effort, which enables Downtown restaurants to expand their outdoor dining into former parking spaces directly in front of their establishments, is the result of a partnership between the City of Wilmington, Downtown Visions, and The Committee of 100.
Participating Trolley restaurants will be able to offer more seating in accordance with Gov. John Carney’s emergency orders. A list of participating restaurants is included at the end of this release.
“When we began ‘Curbside Wilmington’ back in June, I said then that I hoped to see this new business re-opening model applied to other restaurant districts in the City,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “I’m very excited that we are now able, with the support of Councilmember Charles “Bud” Freel, to expand this effort to Trolley Square, another exciting and vibrant part of our city that has also been hit hard by the coronavirus in recent months. As we all struggle to adapt to the new environment, I hope you’ll join me along Delaware Avenue this weekend as we show our support to area businesses and the many workers they employ.”
“I want to thank Mayor Purzycki and the City for their tremendous help and their overall support for local businesses during this pandemic,” said event organizer Joe McCoy of Catherine Rooney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. “We’re all excited to offer safe outdoor dining to everyone coming into Trolley Square on the weekends now and into the fall.”
Barricades and signage will be established at all three locations and motorists are encouraged to select alternate routes and avoid the area on weekends from 4 p.m. Fridays until 10 p.m. on Sundays. The City’s website contains a real-time map that is updated daily so you can follow any other traffic changes in the coming days.
In a related note, the City of Newark added two more Wednesday dates to its Main Street Alfresco program. Main Street is closed for the restaurant promotion in the college town.
Participating Trolley Square restaurants include:
Catherine Rooney’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
Trolley Tap House
Island Fin Poke
Gianni’s Pizza
Cafe Verdi
Kelly’s Logan House
Trolley Square Oyster House
Bar Roja
Crow Bar
