Iron Hill Wilmington Is Reopening

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. We had our first Dinner Club on Tuesday and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. 110 of the 120 people who RSVP’d actually showed up, which still feels a little wild.

I also heard there was a recurring question: am I a real person? Fair enough.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

There’s beauty around every turn at Winterthur! Nestled in the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley, Winterthur is a historic estate on par with some of the most famous in the country.

Discover two centuries of American craftsmanship on tours of the former du Pont family mansion and on view in exhibition galleries.

Explore the 60-acre naturalized “wild garden,” dubbed one of “the Most Beautiful Gardens in America” by Forbes magazine. Paths lead from the garden—world renowned for its striking succession of seasonal blooms—to open meadows, across waterways, and through woodland hiking trails on this 1,000-acre country estate.

Delight in the award-winning children’s garden, Enchanted Woods, featuring a Giant Bird’s Nest, Faerie Cottage, Upside Treehouse, and more.

For details on daily programs, tour offerings in the house and garden, special exhibitions, plus shopping, dining, and more, visit winterthur.org. 

The Newark Arts Alliance is currently showcasing its largest exhibit ever, featuring the work of 91 members. Since relocating to the Shoppes at Louviers two years ago, the Alliance has seen significant growth in its membership, including professional artists, art teachers, and hobbyists. The exhibit includes a variety of two-dimensional and three-dimensional art, with styles ranging from realism to abstract.

Visitors can enjoy a wide array of mediums, such as oil and acrylic paintings, watercolors, textiles, photography, and metalwork. The exhibit is open to the public until April 17, with a special reception planned for April 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The gallery is located on Paper Mill Road and welcomes visitors from noon to 4 p.m. on most days, with extended hours until 8 p.m. on Fridays. It's a great chance to experience the vibrant local art scene.

Delaware's DNREC is hosting youth fishing events across all three counties in early April, aligning with Earth Month celebrations. These events are part of the Take a Kid Fishing! program and are perfect for aspiring anglers aged 6 to 15. The outings will take place at Bellevue State Park in Wilmington, Silver Lake Park in Dover, and Trap Pond State Park in Laurel.

Young participants will have access to fishing equipment provided by the Aquatic Resources Education Center, though they can bring their own gear if preferred. Families are encouraged to pack essentials like chairs, snacks, and sunscreen for a comfortable day by the water. Pre-registration is required, so be sure to sign up for your preferred date and location.

Adults accompanying young anglers who wish to fish must have a current Delaware fishing license and a FIN number. Licenses and FIN numbers can be easily obtained online or through local license agents.

ChristianaCare got the green light to build a new rehabilitation hospital east of Newark. The 92,000-square-foot facility will be located on Red Mill Road, just a short drive from their current Newark campus. This new site will replace the existing rehab unit at Wilmington Hospital, expanding the capacity with 73 beds and offering a range of therapies.

Partnering with the Onix Group, ChristianaCare aims to enhance patient care with advanced technology and specialized services for complex cases. The move will also free up space at Wilmington Hospital for other clinical services, helping to ease emergency department pressures.

Construction is expected to kick off in early 2027, with the facility opening by summer 2028. The project is part of a broader $865 million investment in Delaware’s healthcare infrastructure, promising to create around 122 new jobs and serve thousands more patients in the coming years.

Iron Hill Brewery is gearing up to reopen its Wilmington location after a shutdown last fall. The brewery chain, known for its mini-breweries and restaurant offerings, had closed 15 locations abruptly last year, including its Newark spot, which struggled with parking and sales issues.

The reopening plan includes a management team featuring one of the founders, Mark Edelson. While the Philadelphia location is set to open in April, the Wilmington site will welcome back customers in the spring or summer. However, the Newark and Rehoboth Beach locations won't be part of this comeback.

Rightline, the new owner, acquired the locations from a restaurant group that bought Iron Hill out of bankruptcy. Previous gift cards won't be honored, as they were issued by the former owner. Keep an eye out for the Wilmington location's grand reopening in the coming months.

Bardea Restaurant Group is set to spice up Wilmington's dining scene with Ezme, a Turkish-style restaurant opening this spring at 625 N. Market St. Inspired by chef Antimo DiMeo's travels through Greece, Turkey, and the Aegean Coast, Ezme will offer a vibrant menu featuring dishes like Chicken Gyro Bao and Whole Salt-Baked Fish.

A standout feature of the menu will be the 'On Hummus' section, where seafood meets modern hummus preparations. Expect creations like Squid on Saffron Fava Hummus and Scallops on Black Hummus. Designed by Philadelphia's Stokes Architecture + Design, the 50-seat restaurant will bring the coastal Mediterranean vibe to downtown Wilmington.

Ezme will be located across from Bardea Food & Drink, adding to the group's growing presence in the area. With both à la carte and tasting menus, the restaurant promises a fresh, shared dining experience that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine.

🔒 Full article behind paywall.

Life moves quickly and many of us carry stress in ways we don’t even notice until we finally slow down. At Mind Body Spirit DE in Wilmington, guided meditation sessions offer a welcoming space to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself.

These small group experiences are designed to quiet the mind, reduce stress, and help you feel more grounded and present. Whether you are new to meditation or have practiced before, the environment is supportive and accessible for everyone.

Events are held in small groups at the Mind Body Spirit Healing Room in Wilmington, and many evenings fill quickly.

Learn more or reserve your spot at mindbodyspiritde.com.

New Castle County Council has approved a $200,000 contract to support affordable transitional housing for veterans and unhoused individuals. The initiative is led by Veteran Services CEO Joseph M. Walls, who is developing a housing project in Bear. The county's backing is seen as crucial for this effort.

The project aims to address the housing needs of veterans, with Walls expressing personal motivation due to his family's military ties. The county’s Department of Community Services emphasized that not supporting this project could worsen the affordable housing crisis.

With the council's unanimous approval, Walls and his team are now set to move forward, aiming to provide much-needed housing options for veterans transitioning out of shelters and service.

Wilmington's red light cameras have been monitoring intersections for 25 years, but recent stats show they haven't significantly curbed red light running. DelDOT's report highlights that violations have fluctuated between 58,604 and 63,136 annually over the past five years. In 2024 alone, there were 58,854 violations, with fines contributing to various funds and generating over $1 million in revenue for DelDOT.

While some cameras are profitable, like those in Newark and Dover, others are not. Elsmere and Seaford have seen financial losses from their cameras. Despite mixed results, the program's future looks steady, with DelDOT planning to install 15 new cameras across the state.

The system has reportedly reduced fatal crashes and serious injuries at these intersections, although rear-end collisions have increased. DelDOT continues to monitor and adjust the program, with no major changes on the horizon.

Red Not Chili Peppers + Drown: Chili Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins Tributes at Elkton Music Hall delivers an evening brimming with iconic rock as tributes to two legendary bands take the stage. Experience the high energy of the Red Hot Chili Peppers alongside the moody vibes of the Smashing Pumpkins in one unforgettable show. Thursday at 8 PM.

2026 Good Girls Gone Bad: Domestic Violence Awareness Pub Crawl at Chesapeake City gathers the community for a meaningful cause, featuring stops at local pubs and insightful discussions on domestic violence. Participants can enjoy a day of camaraderie while supporting vital awareness efforts. Friday at 11 AM-6 PM.

Stick Men at Elkton Music Hall showcases the progressive rock trio renowned for their intricate rhythms and virtuoso musicianship. With a lineup that includes members from the legendary King Crimson, this performance is a must-see for any music enthusiast. Friday at 8 PM.

Yet It Moves w/ Special Guests Invis at Kennett Flash promises an exhilarating night of alternative and indie rock. This all-ages show invites you to immerse yourself in the vibrant sounds of Yet It Moves, along with intriguing performances by Invis. Friday at 8 PM.

Fearless Improv Monthly Show at City Theater Company offers a night of spontaneous comedy where quick wit and audience participation are the stars. Prepare for an unpredictable evening filled with laughter and creativity as local talents showcase their improvisational skills. Saturday at 8-10 PM.

Nirvani - A Nirvana Tribute Experience at Elkton Music Hall revives the grunge revolution with spot-on renditions of Nirvana's most iconic hits. Feel the raw energy and nostalgia as the band captures the spirit of the '90s. Saturday at 8 PM.

Best Imitation of Myself: A Tribute to Ben Folds Five at Kennett Flash welcomes fans to an all-ages show celebrating the unforgettable tunes of Ben Folds Five. Relive the quirky and emotional indie rock sound that defined a generation. Saturday at 8 PM.

C Bazz Entertainment Legends of the Song Artists Showcase: Dana Sorey at The Queen Wilmington. Experience an enlightening concert featuring GRAMMY-nominated and Dove Award-winning producer and songwriter Dana Sorey. Join us for a journey through his gospel catalog with special musical guests. Saturday at 8 PM.

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

52 🌡️ 43 | ☁️ Overcast | 24% | 💨 ENE 13 mph

75 🌡️ 61 | ⛅ Partly Cloudy | 15% | 💨 S 14 mph

80 🌡️ 55 | ⛅ Partly Cloudy | 11% | 💨 S 12 mph

66 🌡️ 40 | 🌧️ Rain Showers | 87% | 💨 WSW 16 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 45ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

Looking to bring a food truck to your neighborhood? Uncle John’s BBQ has a few weekday evening openings for local communities right now. Perfect for HOA events, family nights, or an easy midweek dinner that gets everyone outside. They handle the food, you bring the neighbors. Call or text 302-743-9737 to get on the schedule and lock in a date. *

*indicates sponsored advertising content.

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