A New Spot for Beer Lovers Opens in Claymont

Rise and Shine, 302. Nothing says “Labor Day” like not doing any. Consider this your official excuse to stay horizontal.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Meet Apothecary Brewing, Claymont’s newest hangout

• Senior Thanksgiving Ball tickets drop September 5

• Costco adds hours for its most loyal members

Let’s get to it

QUICK POLL

🎤 Karaoke: live show or just for fun?

We’re sorting events into two lanes: Live Music and Weeknight Socials. But karaoke’s tricky. It has a mic, a crowd, and sometimes... talent.

So what is it? Vote now: Live Music or Weeknight Social?

You decide where it belongs.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🕺 A big night out for the 55+ crowd

Dinner, dancing, and a live band? Sounds like prom night, only this time it’s Wilmington’s annual Senior Thanksgiving Ball, and it’s just for folks 55 and older.

Tickets go on sale Friday, September 5 at 11 AM at the Louis L. Redding City/County Building. It’s $240 per table (that’s $30 a person), and each person or group can only buy one. Heads up, it usually sells out fast, so plan to get there early with your photo ID.

The ball is Sunday, November 2 at the Chase Center, and if you love a lively night out, this one's calling your name.

🕓 Costco adds early bird hours for VIPs

Costco’s giving its executive members a head start. Starting after Labor Day, stores will open at 9 AM just for the VIPs, a full hour before the general crowd.

It’s part of a bigger rollout that also includes later Saturday hours for everyone, with stores now closing at 7 PM. Executive members already enjoy perks like 2% back on purchases and $10 Instacart credits, but early shopping might be the real win here.

If you’ve ever fought for parking or waited behind a pallet of paper towels, this change could be your new favorite.

🎨 Delaware doubles down on the arts

More plays, more paint, more pointe shoes. Delaware just awarded over $5 million in grants to 125 arts and community orgs across the state. It’s the first round of FY2026 funding and covers everything from small-town theaters to big-city museums.

The cash helps pay for performances, exhibitions, classes, and arts education. It also supports jobs and gives a boost to the local economy. Grants come from the Delaware General Assembly and NEA, with a big push to keep art accessible in all corners of the state.

That means more chances to catch a show, take a class, or find your new favorite artist.

🏈 DeSean Jackson kicks off coaching career at DSU

Delaware football fans, we’ve got a new sideline star. NFL legend DeSean Jackson just made his college coaching debut as head coach at Delaware State. His Hornets fell to rival UD in the opener, but Jackson wasn’t rattled. “I’m a winner,” he told reporters. “Wherever I go, we’re going to have success.”

DSU had some costly penalties and turnovers, but Jackson says they “beat themselves” and he’s proud of the effort. The real test? How the team bounces back this Saturday at home against Albany.

If you’re curious to see DeSean’s coaching style in action, this might be your season to follow the Hornets.

IN BUSINESS

🍺 New brewery opens October 10 in Claymont

Mark your calendars, beer lovers. Apothecary Brewing Co. is opening October 10 in Claymont, taking over the old Hangman Brewing spot with a fresh new look and plenty of local flavor.

Founders John Ponte and Andy Poole have transformed the space with warm wood, apothecary touches, and a whole extra room for events like Quizzo and karaoke. The beer lineup is local and clever, with names like Claymont Cream Ale and Arch-Bier Amber.

Whether you're there for a stout or a stage show, this place is brewing up something special.

📈 Wilmington wealth firm lands on Inc. 5000

From zero to $600 million in five years, Grey Fox Wealth just made its debut on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies. Not bad for a Wilmington firm that launched in March 2020, right before the world shut down.

Founders Kevin Dombrowski and Ted Lauzen started with no clients and now serve a triangle of families and business owners from Philly to Rehoboth to Annapolis. They’ve added a tax division, are prepping to launch an investment banking arm, and plan to open a second office in Lewes.

It’s always fun to cheer on a local firm that's putting Delaware on the map.

🍺 Greek beers on tap at Cafeneo

Cafeneo, Newark’s cozy Greek café on South Main, just got the green light to start serving alcohol. That means your next coffee and pastry run could include a baklava martini or a peach loukoumi mimosa.

Owner Antonios Fessaras says the goal isn’t to become a bar, but to enhance the café’s vibe with thoughtful drink pairings. Think Greek wines, imported beers, and cocktails that match the flavors of the Mediterranean menu.

It’s a sweet little upgrade for anyone who loves a good espresso... and a splash of something stronger.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🚢 Union leader threatens to take port project to NJ

Big container ships, big jobs… and now, big drama. According to Spotlight Delaware, a top labor leader just threatened to move Delaware’s long-stalled Edgemoor port project to New Jersey, blaming endless delays and a chilly relationship with Gov. Meyer.

Bill Ashe Jr., who heads the local Longshoremen’s union, says he's “had it” and is pitching Salem, NJ, as the new spot for a state-of-the-art terminal. Delaware still hasn’t secured key dredging permits, which has Ashe looking across the river.

Is this just political posturing or a real pivot? Hard to say. But if Delaware loses out, so do thousands of potential jobs and a big piece of our maritime future.

🦌 18-year-olds can now hunt solo in Delaware

A recent court ruling just gave Delaware’s 18- to 21-year-old hunters a green light to head out solo. A provision requiring direct adult supervision for that age group has been struck down, thanks to a Superior Court decision that says Delaware's right to bear arms covers them too.

The law in question had been on the books since 2022 but never actually went into effect. DNREC is already updating the state’s hunting guide to reflect the change, just in time for the September 1 season openers.

If you've got a young adult hunter in your life, this one’s worth knowing.

🚗 Move-in mayhem clogs Newark streets

Freshman move-in at UD brought Newark traffic to a standstill last Saturday, and city officials are not thrilled. City Manager Tom Coleman says it was worse than last year, with cars backed up for miles and emergency access nearly impossible.

The big issue? UD crammed the move-in into one day instead of two like in previous years. The appointment system stayed, but the shorter timeline overwhelmed roads near campus. Coleman says the city wants UD to bring back the two-day system or find another way to spread things out.

If you were anywhere near South College Avenue last weekend, you probably don’t need convincing that something’s got to change.

SPONSORED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SENTMAN DISTRIBUTORS AND THE 12^th ANNUAL CRAB CRAWL

Crab Crawl 2025: A strolling feast for a good cause

The Crab Crawl returns to downtown North East on Saturday, September 13. From 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., stroll between local restaurants and sample crab-inspired small plates. VIP tickets include an extra tasting at Casa Mezcal, and all ticket holders get a buy-one-get-one drink special at the North East River Yacht Club, valid on event day or any Friday or Saturday in September.

Enter the Super Mega Jumbo Lump Crab Raffle for a chance to win one of ten prizes. Proceeds benefit youth literacy programs through the Friends Foundation. Learn more and get tickets at crabcrawl.org.

DOG OF THE WEEK

Say hello to Minerva🐾

At 3 years old, Minerva is equal parts beauty and brains. This chocolate-coated sweetheart has been working on her manners and loves showing off new tricks, especially when treats are involved. She’s social too, enjoying time in playgroups and making new canine friends along the way.

Though we don’t know her full backstory, Minerva’s resilience shines through. She’s patient, loyal, and clearly ready for a forever family who will give her the love and stability she deserves.

Come meet Minerva at the Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Copeland Center in New Castle. She’s spayed, microchipped, and waiting to be your new best friend.

THE HAPPENINGS

Monday

Kategory 5 at Carpenter Recreation Area wraps up the Delaware State Parks summer concert season with a high-energy set of rock and dance favorites. Pack a chair and catch the final outdoor show of the year. 3 PM on Monday, September 1.

Tuesday

The Keepers of the Flame at Brandywine Mills Plaza is a soulful evening of live jazz celebrating the genre’s enduring legacy. This outdoor groove session promises smooth sounds and community vibes. 5 PM on Tuesday, September 2.

Blue Rocks “Pack the Park” Night at Frawley Stadium is a free night of baseball and celebration, honoring fan-favorite mascot Mr. Celery’s big win as one of the nation’s top minor league mascots. Thanks to JP Morgan Chase, admission is completely free—just grab your tickets in advance or at the gate and join the fun as the Blue Rocks take on the Aberdeen IronBirds. 6:35 PM on Tuesday, September 2.

Wednesday

Lunchtime Concert on the Arts Center Patio at Bellevue State Park offers a midday music break with local favorite Meeta Parker. Pack a picnic and enjoy tunes from the patio or the peaceful music garden. 12 PM on Wednesday, September 3.

Tuba Skinny at the Levitt AMP Wilmington Music Series brings their infectious blend of traditional New Orleans jazz, ragtime, and blues to Wilmington for a night of lively, toe-tapping tunes. Wednesday, September 3 at 6 PM.

Thursday

City Sounds Block Party at The Lofts at 2nd & LOMA keeps the summer energy going with free live music, vendors, and DJ karaoke right in the heart of Wilmington. Two stages, great eats from Serena’s Soulfood and food trucks, and plenty of outdoor seating make this an al fresco evening you won’t want to miss. 4–9 PM on Thursday, September 4

Sculpture Garden Happy Hours: Hispanic Heritage Night at the Delaware Art Museum celebrates the start of Hispanic Heritage Month with vibrant music, salsa and merengue dance lessons, and a performance by Antonio y Joel con Labranza. Thursday, September 4 from 5–7:30 PM. Free admission, cash bar, and delicious eats from Dominican Cafe.

"Mushroom Parade at Kennett Collaborative" kicks off the 40th Annual Mushroom Festival with a colorful celebration of community spirit and fungi flair. Expect whimsical floats, creative costumes, and lively local performances winding through the heart of town. 6–8 PM on Thursday, September 4.

Summer Concert Series at Glasgow Park wraps up the season with a performance by JD Webb, offering a lively evening of free, all-ages entertainment. Come early to grab dinner at the farmers market before settling in for the show. 6:30–8 PM on Thursday, September 4.

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Monday

79 🌡️ 55 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨 ENE 11 mph

Tuesday

79 🌡️ 56 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 6% | 💨 ENE 7 mph

Wednesday

80 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 7% | 💨 S 7 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 74ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

THE NOT SO SHORTLIST

Now on Their Own Pages

• 🧘 Health & Wellness

• 🎭 Theatre/Arts 

• 🥳 Weeknight Social 

• 🎶 Live Music

• 🌽 Farmers Markets

• 🧒 For the Kids (coming soon)

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