Dick's Buys Former Nordstrom Store

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☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. You never know who's borrowing courage from the way you live your life.

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Enjoy kid-friendly activities, wander the garden, and learn about history while having fun across the Winterthur estate and especially in the award-winning, three-acre children’s garden, Enchanted Woods. Terrific Tuesdays in July and August is a fun-filled way to introduce history, art, conservation, and storytelling to kids ages 3–10 for just $5. And adventure packs filled with guides, stories, and ideas for exploring are free with admission any day you visit.

Come explore this place of enchantment and discovery. Learn more about ongoing and upcoming events.

Reserve your tickets today!

Some people build in an extra 20 minutes. Others somehow end up sprinting through the parking lot every single time. No matter which camp you're in, we've all developed our own relationship with the clock.

Source: Newark Post

The City of Newark recently rolled out a new incentive for residents looking to clear out older appliances. Through the end of September, electric customers can get a $75 reward for recycling eligible working refrigerators, freezers, window air conditioners, or dehumidifiers.

The Efficiency Smart program includes free pickup for the units, with a limit of four appliances per household this year. Alongside the recycling cash, the program also tripled its rebate for new Energy Star window air conditioners to $150.

Newark joined the energy efficiency initiative in 2019. The program is funded by the Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation, which uses the reduced power consumption to delay infrastructure upgrades and avoid buying expensive power during peak usage times.

Source: WDEL

LeBron James announced Friday on social media that he is joining the Philadelphia 76ers, calling it his "last decision" after seriously weighing retirement.

In his post, James said he believes he can help the 76ers win a championship and described himself as excited to play for a new fan base. No contract terms were disclosed.

Source: Delaware Business Now

The nation's largest sporting goods retailer purchased the former Nordstrom space at the Christiana Mall. Property records showed the sales price for the anchor location was nearly $9 million.

Dick's Sporting Goods already operates a smaller store just east of the mall, along with a larger experiential location at the Brandywine Town Center. The new acquisition fills a large vacancy at the shopping center, which maintains an interior occupancy rate above 90%.

Anchor stores at regional malls typically own or lease the land beneath their retail space. The company has not yet announced a timeline for opening the new store.

The House of William and Merry, a long-running restaurant on Old Lancaster Pike in Hockessin, went dark on Sunday. Owners Merry Catanuto and Bill Hoffman announced the closure after 15 years operating the farmhouse-turned-restaurant, which was also their home.

In a statement, the couple said the decision had nothing to do with business or staff, and everything to do with wanting a new direction. Hoffman had been a semi-finalist for a Mid-Atlantic James Beard Award. The restaurant is currently listed on Google as temporarily closed.

Catanuto and Hoffman said they plan to take time to figure out what comes next, and pointed followers to their social media and website for updates.

Source: Delaware Online 🔒 PAYWALLED

Semilla Bread opened at Independence Mall on Concord Pike near Fairfax on June 30, bringing naturally leavened sourdoughs, croissants, bagels, empanadas, and seasonal pastries to the Wilmington area.

Owner Hector Pulido spent 26 years as a senior auditor at firms including Wells Fargo and Citibank before pivoting to baking. He trained at the original Semilla Bread in Bogotá, Colombia, worked there for about six months, and eventually partnered with that bakery's founder, Vincenzo Lo Paro, to open the Delaware location.

The shop also carries locally made jams, honey, and pasta, and serves La Colombe coffee. Hours run Monday through Friday 8 AM - 5 PM, Saturday until 4 PM, and Sunday until 1 PM, or until sold out.

Escape the daily routine and enjoy an evening of timeless Sinatra classics, Italian cuisine, and classic supper club charm. Put on that special dress you've been waiting for an excuse to wear, press the suit, and dust off the fedora for a night to remember.

Your evening includes a three-course Italian dinner. The bar opens at 4 PM for cocktails, dinner seatings are at 5:30 PM and 6 PM, and the live performance begins at 7:30 PM.

Reservations are required in advance, and this event is expected to sell out.

Reserve your seats today!

La Fête Restaurant
2530 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
302.374.0779
lafetedelaware.com

Source: Delaware Business Now

On Thursday, U.S. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware and Senator Ted Budd of North Carolina introduced bipartisan legislation to support small modular nuclear reactors. The bill aims to strengthen a State Department program known as FIRST, which partners with over fifty countries on nuclear energy initiatives.

The FIRST program launched in 2019 to help expand American nuclear energy exports and provide an alternative to Russian and Chinese technology. Small nuclear reactors are designed to be mass-produced, offering a different approach to traditional large-scale power plants.

The technology received backing from both the Biden and Trump administrations, though it faced opposition from some environmental groups. The legislation now awaits committee review in the Senate.

Source: Delaware Public Media

Wilmington Mayor John Carney vetoed a City Council ordinance this week that would have banned water service disconnections for seniors, people with disabilities, and households with young children. The measure previously passed the council with a 7 to 5 vote.

The mayor's office stated the ban would encourage nonpayment and put further stress on the city water fund, noting that shutoffs are only used as a last resort. Supporters of the ordinance argued the city is too quick to shut off residential water while allowing commercial properties to carry large unpaid balances.

Overriding the veto would require 9 votes. Council members in favor of the ban acknowledged they likely lack the numbers to push the measure through.

Source: WDEL

The Delaware General Assembly wrapped up its 2026 legislative session by passing several bills that changed the state's alcoholic beverage laws. The legislation updated licensing rules, expanded delivery options, and created a framework for selling Delta-9 THC-infused beverages.

Lawmakers authorized licensed third-party vendors to deliver alcohol from package stores. They also lowered the minimum bartending age from 21 to 18, requiring younger employees to work under direct supervision. Other changes included new licenses for bottle clubs and outdoor festivals, along with extended serving hours for racetrack casinos.

The state scheduled several of these measures to take effect later this year. The new bottle club and special-event licenses are expected to become available in November.

Big-dog softness, treat-motivated charm, and a name that sounds like she should have her own theme song, Pookie Bookie is a 3-year-old large mixed-breed girl with a gentle, getting-braver-every-day kind of spirit. She walks nicely on leash, enjoys a good snack (relatable), and has been making dog friends at the shelter.

Pookie Bookie is learning that people can be kind, routines can feel safe, and life does not have to be so uncertain. She’d love a steady home where she can settle in, exhale, and be somebody’s much-loved sidekick.

Head to Brandywine Valley SPCA at 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle, DE 19720 to meet Pookie Bookie and see if she’s your girl.

Summer Concert Series: FreeLance | Rockford Park. An outdoor concert featuring FreeLance, where attendees can bring a picnic or buy meals from on-site food trucks. The historic Rockford Tower is open to visitors during the show. Monday at 6:30 PM.

Music in the Plaza: Fuzaholics | Brandywine Mills Plaza. A live performance by Fuzaholics with food trucks and local vendors selling handmade items, apparel, and fresh produce. Tuesday 5-8 PM.

Rhythm & Brews | New Garden Township. A live set by the 2uesday Nite Band featuring yard games from GO-N-PLAY. Food and beverages from Harvest Ridge Winery and other local vendors are available for purchase. Tuesday at 6 PM.

Danny Paisley & the Southern Grass | Chapel Street Players. A traditional bluegrass concert by the IBMA-nominated group, featuring classic instrumentation and Danny Paisley's distinctive lead vocals. Tuesday 7-8 PM.

Zoo Tunes: Zach Humenik | Brandywine Zoo. A live set by local musician Zach Humenik, free with zoo admission. Wednesday 12-1 PM.

Summer Nights | Hagley Museum and Library. A dog-friendly after-work stroll along the Brandywine with local food trucks, Dogfish Head craft beer, and Woodside Farm Creamery ice cream. Tickets are $5, and free for Hagley members and children under six. Wednesday 5-8 PM.

Summer Music Series: Terra Soul ft. Joseph Whitney | Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange. A live music set featuring Joseph Whitney as part of the summer concert series. Free. Wednesday 5:30-8:30 PM.

The Late Ambitions | Anson B Nixon Park. A concert in the park as part of the Sounds of Summer series. Food and beverage vendors open at 6 PM with hot meals, cold drinks, and sweet treats. Free. Wednesday 6:30-8:30 PM.

Wendy Logan - Blues, Soul, Rock | Historic New Castle. A free live set of blues and rock from Wendy Logan as part of the weekly music lineup, with donations welcomed. Wednesday 6:30-8 PM.

Summer Concert Series: Rust | White Clay Creek State Park. An outdoor concert at the Carpenter Recreation Area band stage with a food truck, a beer garden, and a 50/50 fundraiser, where attendees can bring a picnic supper and lawn chairs. Free with paid park admission. Wednesday at 6:30 PM.

More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.

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

Monday

86 🌡️ 69 | ⛈️ Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms | 50% | 💨 SW 0 to 5 mph

Tuesday

82 🌡️ 67 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms | 93% | 💨 S 5 to 10 mph

Wednesday

82 🌡️ 66 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms | 40% | 💨 NW 5 to 10 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 75ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

The full events calendar includes live music, festivals, classes, markets, family activities, community gatherings, and dozens more happenings across Northern Delaware.

Submit an event →

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