TOGETHER WITH

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. If you have been meaning to try that place, this is the week before the summer crowds decide they also have been meaning to try that place.

Your 302 Rundown:

  • Wilmington cooking school now enrolling

  • Third Thursdays return to Kennett Square

  • Four new drive-thru coffee spots planned

Let’s get to it

📈 April market snapshot

The latest New Castle County housing market update from The Rosaio Team offers a ZIP-code-by-ZIP-code look at what homes sold for in April and how quickly they moved.

One of the bigger takeaways: homes in many parts of the county are still going under contract surprisingly fast. Newark homes had a median market time of just four days, while Pike Creek, Hockessin, North Wilmington, and several other areas all stayed under 10 days.

The report also breaks down median home prices across Wilmington, Middletown, Bear, Newark, and more.

CANAL QUIZ

🏭 Newark’s industrial claim to fame

If you drove through Newark in the 1990s, you were seeing the final years of a company that had already been operating since George Washington was president. What made it nationally significant?

NEWS YOU CAN USE

⛽ Delaware gas holds steady near $4.34

Source: Delaware Business Now

Delaware gas prices barely budged last week, averaging $4.34 a gallon as of Monday, even as national prices ticked up. New Castle County came in lowest at $4.30, and several stations in northern Delaware were selling regular below $4.20.

Crude oil climbed to $102 a barrel early this week, which typically pushes pump prices higher. GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan estimates that for every day the Strait of Hormuz stays closed, global oil inventories could take roughly a week to recover, putting full recovery around November 2027.

On the EV side, Delaware's public charging rate held at 37 cents per kilowatt hour, ranking among the ten lowest in the country.

🔥 Fire damages historic Wilmington church

Source: Delaware Public Media

A Sunday morning fire caused severe damage to the historic Mother African Union Church in Wilmington. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries and were treated at a local hospital. No civilians were hurt.

Founded in 1813 by Peter Spencer, the congregation is now looking for a temporary space to hold worship services. Local and state officials, including Governor Matt Meyer and County Executive Marcus Henry, gathered at the site on Monday to pledge their support for the restoration effort.

The Wilmington Fire Department is currently investigating the incident. Officials expect to release information about the cause of the fire in about two weeks.

A NOTE FROM MIKE

The readers here are local, engaged, and open this newsletter consistently. If your business or organization should be in front of them, here is how to get started.

IN BUSINESS

🍳 Humanity's Kitchen launches public cooking club

Source: Delaware Live

Humanity's Kitchen has officially launched a new public cooking school in Wilmington. The Cooking Club is now open on North Tatnall Street in the Brandywine Historic Village area, offering hands-on culinary classes for all ages and experience levels.

The new program expands the established trade school into community education. Offerings include weekly youth classes and summer camps for children ages eight to fourteen, focusing on kitchen safety, measuring, and basic food preparation.

Adults can also sign up for specialized night and weekend sessions to sharpen their kitchen skills. The current schedule features pasta making, baking, Middle Eastern cuisine, and dedicated date night events for couples.

☕ 7 Brew plans four Delaware drive-thrus

Source: Delaware Online 🔒 PAYWALLED

A drive-thru coffee chain is gearing up to make its Delaware debut. 7 Brew is looking to open four new locations across New Castle County, bringing its menu of lattes, energy drinks, and fizzy beverages to the area.

Recent planning filings indicate the company is eyeing spots in Stanton, Fairfax, Ogletown, and the Newport area. The brand focuses entirely on drive-thru service rather than traditional sit-down cafes, offering a wide variety of teas and lemonades alongside standard coffee options.

Representatives for the company declined to share specific details or construction timelines for the new stands. The proposals are currently moving through the local planning process.

Business owners: AI captions not working for your brand's social media? 

Connor Creative House is a social media agency that brings brands' digital presence to life through video content creation, ads and social media posts that capture their personalities and tell their stories.

Founder Krista Connor believes that when strategy meets creativity and human-centric storytelling, marketing becomes an effective tool to engage with audiences, build brand awareness and ultimately get leads, bookings and sales. 

Just ask Above the Canal — we've helped them bring in more than a thousand leads and dozens of event bookings in just over one month. 

Go to connorcreativehouse.com to learn more about social media content creation (event, product and on-location sessions), ads and full account management. 

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

📈 Delaware corporate registrations grow despite recent exits

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez presented new corporate franchise data to the state financial oversight board on Monday. She reported Delaware was home to more than 2.28 million corporate entities at the end of last year, an increase of about 130,000.

The growth follows recent moves by several large companies to shift their incorporations to other states. Patibanda-Sanchez told the panel that the climate has settled, noting the state added more than 24,000 new large entities. These businesses are projected to generate over $2.1 billion in state revenue.

The board also approved financial projections for the upcoming fiscal year. The new estimates push the annual appropriation limit to $7.3 billion.

🚜 State recognizes Delaware Grown Week

Source: State of Delaware News

Governor Matt Meyer has officially designated May 17 through May 23 as Delaware Grown Week. The recent proclamation highlights the ongoing role of family farms and agricultural workers in the local economy.

Agriculture remains the top industry in the First State. This recognition arrives just as many local farm stands and seasonal markets are already opening their doors to customers for the spring and summer months.

In 2025, registered farmers markets across Delaware brought in more than five million dollars in sales for the first time. Residents can currently find updated operating hours and fresh market availability through state agriculture directories.

THE HAPPENINGS

Thursday

Third Thursdays on State Street at State Street, Kennett Square. Kennett Square's beloved warm-weather street event returns with alfresco dining, extended shopping hours, and family-friendly activities stretching along a closed-off State Street. Restaurants like Portabellos, La Verona, and Sweet Amelia's set up outdoor tables, free garage parking is available on E. Linden Street, and reservations are recommended if you want a street-side seat. Thursday at 5:30-10 PM.

2026 Spring Concert Series (Salute to Service Night): Mini Mojo at Academy Lawn. This community-focused outdoor concert honors local service members with a live performance by Mini Mojo. Neighbors can set up lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the spring weather during this special tribute event. Thursday at 7 PM.

Third Thursday Showcase: Tony "Big Cat" Smith at Theatre N. Dive into an evening of blues-tinged jazz with Tony "Big Cat" Smith, a local favorite known for his captivating trumpet performances. Thursday at 7 PM.

Friday

Live in the Beer Garden: Drew Nugent & the Midnight Society at Longwood Gardens. Jazz Age blues, jazz, and pop fill the open-air Beer Garden, with craft brews from Victory Brewing Company and casual bites rounding out the evening. Admission is free with garden entry, and the night wraps up just in time for the Illuminated Fountain Performances. Friday at 6-8:45 PM.

Sarah Koon / Lyra Muse / Third Eye Ensemble at The Queen Wilmington. Three acts share the stage, moving from string-trio chamber sounds to violin-based art pop to piano-based indie rock. Doors open at 7 PM, show starts Friday at 8 PM.

Saturday

BBQ, Bourbon & Bluegrass at The Carriage House. Three of the best things in life come together for an afternoon of slow-smoked bites, small-batch pours, and live bluegrass picking. Saturday at 2 PM.

Golden Hour at Mt. Cuba Center. Mt. Cuba's gardens stay open late for a low-key evening with a full bar, gorgeous late-day light, and discounted in-person tickets at just $10 (members get in free). It's a lovely way to wind down with friends, whether you're chasing the perfect photo or just soaking in the scenery. Saturday at 4:30-8 PM.

Crack the Sky at Elkton Music Hall. This long-running Maryland rock band built a cult following in the late '70s and has kept the faithful coming back ever since with their hook-driven, prog-tinged sound. Saturday at 8 PM.

Sunday

Live in the Beer Garden: Ensemble Novo at Longwood Gardens. Sway to the tropical chill of Ensemble Novo's Brazilian rhythms in the lush setting of Longwood's Beer Garden. Pair the sounds with craft beers and casual bites for a delightful evening. Sunday at 6-8:45 PM.

Monday

Memorial Day Parade at State Street Kennett Square. Chester County’s largest Memorial Day parade honors fallen service members while serving as an official America250 event to mark the founding of the United States. The two-hour procession kicks off at Union and South Streets, traveling north through the borough to conclude at Union Hill Cemetery. Monday at 10 AM - 12 PM.

More happenings we didn't have room for.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

A NOTE FROM MIKE

If this newsletter has been a reliable part of your week, a single sentence on Google is the most direct way to say so. Leave a quick Google review.

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Thursday

64 🌡️ 53 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms | 80% | 💨 NE 5 to 10 mph

Friday

66 🌡️ 50 | 🌧️ Partly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers | 39% | 💨 E 5 to 10 mph

Saturday

60 🌡️ 52 | 🌧️ Rain Showers | 80% | 💨 E 10 mph

Sunday

71 🌡️ 58 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms | 80% | 💨 NE 5 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 59ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS

Bar & Brewery NightlifeCharity, Fundraising & Volunteer Events
Community Fun & FestivitiesCraft Fairs & Farmers Markets
Community Meetups & Social GroupsFor the Kids
Health & WellnessHoliday Events
Library & Community EventsLive Music
Outdoors & NatureTheatre / Arts
Workshops & Classes 

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