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Delaware Restaurants Rally After Iron Hill Closure
Local spots step up to help Iron Hill employees find work, comfort food finds a new home in Hockessin, Bancroft Mills Bridge finally reopens after four long years.
Above the Canal
October 06, 2025
☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. No Monday issue next week. I’m running a marathon Sunday, which seemed like a good idea before I also had two jobs and a newsletter.
Your 302 Rundown:
Delaware restaurants open their doors to Iron Hill’s former staff
Aunt Berta’s serves up scratch-made comfort in Hockessin
Bancroft Mills Bridge reopens 20 feet higher and flood-ready
Let’s get to it
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
🌉 Bancroft Mills Bridge finally reopens in Wilmington
Good news for walkers and cyclists: Wilmington’s Bancroft Mills Bridge is open again after four long years. The pedestrian bridge linking Alapocas Run and Rockford Park was destroyed by flooding from Hurricane Ida in 2021 and rebuilt with $2.7 million in FEMA funding.
The new span sits about 20 feet higher than before, keeping it well above the 100-year flood line. Some finishing touches remain, including a small picnic area on the eastern side, but visitors can finally cross the Brandywine once more.
It’s a small bridge, but a big step in reconnecting two of Wilmington’s most scenic parks.
⛽ Delaware gas prices drop below $3
Here’s something we haven’t seen in a while. AAA reports that the average price for regular gas in Delaware just slipped under $3 a gallon, with some northern stations hitting $2.80 or less. That’s about 20 cents cheaper than this time last year.
Why the drop? Refineries are switching to cheaper winter blends, global oil supply is up, and the summer road trip rush is over. For now, your wallet gets a brief breather before hurricane season or refinery issues stir things back up.
🔥 Gas gets cheaper, but heat won’t
Even as Delaware drivers cheer sub-$3 prices at the pump, home heating is heading the other way. Delmarva Power and Chesapeake Utilities just filed for double digit natural gas increases that could raise residential bills by $11 to $16 a month.
Delmarva wants a 43% jump in its gas cost rate, while Chesapeake seeks 30%, citing higher global demand for liquified natural gas and growing energy use from data centers. The Public Advocate says the hikes are mostly pass through costs, meaning there is little the state can do to stop them.
So while your car’s tank costs less to fill, your home’s might be another story.
IN BUSINESS
🍗 Aunt Berta’s brings Southern comfort to Hockessin
There’s a new reason to skip cooking tonight. Aunt Berta’s just opened its doors in the heart of Hockessin, serving up fried chicken, Cajun turkey wings, and homemade mac and cheese that taste like Sunday dinner any night of the week.
It’s the fourth Aunt Berta’s location and the second in Delaware, led by Alberta Ferebee and her daughter Estella Gale. The pair say they came to Hockessin after loyal customers kept asking them to. With every salad, biscuit, and potato boiled from scratch, they’re bringing comfort food and community spirit to town in equal measure.
✈️ Avelo rolls out a membership for frequent flyers
Wilmington’s hometown airline is taking a cue from the big carriers. Avelo Airlines just launched Avelo PLUS, a new annual membership that promises lower fares and extra perks for travelers flying out of New Castle Airport.
For $49 the first year ($99 after that), members get fare discounts, early boarding, and access to exclusive deals throughout the year. Avelo says a Christmas trip to Orlando could cost just $67 round trip under the new plan. The airline, which already offers more than a dozen destinations from Wilmington, is also teasing a credit card coming later this year.
It’s a low cost carrier, but the perks are starting to look a little first class.
🍻 Delaware restaurants rally after Iron Hill closure
When Iron Hill Brewery abruptly closed its Delaware locations last month, it left dozens of employees without jobs. But Delaware’s restaurant community wasted no time stepping up. Within days, places like Nora Lees in New Castle, the University & Whist Club, and High Steaks Brewery at Delaware Park began posting openings and inviting displaced staff to apply.
Delaware Restaurant Association president Carrie Leishman said the hospitality industry is “always looking for well-trained, qualified employees,” and Iron Hill’s team fits that bill. Some restaurants even offered gift card swaps to support affected workers.
It’s a tough goodbye to a Delaware dining icon, but the local restaurant scene showed exactly what community looks like.
🏦 Delaware avoids Capital One layoffs
There is rare good news in the world of bank mergers. Capital One confirmed that while hundreds of jobs are being cut nationwide after its $35 billion acquisition of Discover, no layoffs are expected in Delaware.
The company is trimming more than 500 positions at Discover’s Illinois headquarters, mostly tied to its home loan and student lending divisions. But Delaware’s workforce, roughly 1,900 Capital One employees and 1,000 Discover employees in Greenwood, will stay put. Both teams are considered front line, and the Greenwood site will keep operating as usual.
In a state built on banking, this is one headline everyone is happy to see stay quiet.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
🌳 Delaware parks outline new fee increases
We already knew park fees were going up, and now we know by how much. Spotlight Delaware reports that daily entry could rise from $4 to $5 for Delaware vehicles and from $8 to $10 for out of state. Beach parks would see a bigger bump, up to $10 for locals and $20 for visitors.
Annual passes would increase to $50 for Delawareans and $100 for out of state drivers. Senior lifetime passes would more than double, from $65 to $150, and military and senior annual passes would also climb. Officials say the hikes are needed to keep up with rising maintenance costs and the surge in park visitors over the last decade.
Public feedback is open through Oct. 29 before final approval in November.
🚧 Delaware launches transportation funding task force
Delaware’s roads need more than patchwork fixes. Gov. Matt Meyer announced a new task force to find long-term solutions for the state’s Transportation Trust Fund, which has supported infrastructure projects since 1987.
The 18-member group, led by Transportation Secretary Shanté Hastings, will review spending, study revenue trends, and explore new funding sources as costs climb. Meyer said the goal is to keep Delaware’s roads safe, reliable, and ready for the future.
OPENING ACTS & EXHIBITS
On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.
The Squirrels FALL in Love – Chapel Street Players. The Forgetful Squirrels bring back their quick wit and unpredictable humor to Newark for a completely improvised comedy show on Chapel Street’s new stage. Friday, October 10 from 7:30–9 PM. Tickets available online.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.
DOG OF THE WEEK
Say hello to Zoe 🐾
If there were awards for best listener, Zoe would have a trophy on every shelf. This five-year-old sweetheart is all heart and soft eyes, the kind of dog who makes you feel like you’ve been friends forever. She’s gentle taking treats, easy to leash up, and always up for a stroll or a good cuddle session. Zoe loves being part of whatever’s happening but is just as happy curling up beside you while you work. Bonus: she’s dog-friendly and toy-obsessed, which means she’ll keep herself (and you) entertained for hours.
Zoe’s ready for her fresh start and a family to love. Swing by the Brandywine Valley SPCA’s New Castle campus at 290 Churchmans Road to meet her today, because that wagging tail won’t wait forever.
THE HAPPENINGS
Wednesday
Lunchtime Concert on the Arts Center Patio – Bellevue State Park. Enjoy a relaxing midday concert with musician Zack Humenik on the Arts Center Patio — the perfect way to break up your week with live music in a beautiful park setting. Wednesday, October 8 at 12 PM. Free with paid park admission.
Levitt AMP Wilmington Music Series – Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange. The free concert series wraps up its season with Los Pleneros de la 21 on Wednesday, October 8, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with vibrant live music, food, and community fun. Festivities begin at 6 PM, with music starting at 7 PM at 1509 Clifford Brown Walk in Wilmington.
Thursday
Wilmington International Film Festival – Downtown Wilmington & Riverfront. Celebrate cinema, art, and community at this multi-venue festival featuring independent films, documentaries, live music, and local art exhibits. October 9–12, with screenings at Theatre N, The Screening Room at 1313, and The Delaware Contemporary, plus a lively festival hub at The Chancery Market, opening night festivities, and a Sunday awards brunch. VIP all-access passes available.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.
FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Monday
81 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 9% | 💨 SSW 8 mph
Tuesday
79 🌡️ 67 | ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | 12% | 💨 SSW 12 mph
Wednesday
68 🌡️ 44 | 🌧️ Morning Rain | 86% | 💨 NW 12 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 70ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.
THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS
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