☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. A calendar full of local events is the best kind of busy.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Sweet Toof is now open in Newark

• Iron Hill shuts down all restaurants

• New report defines Delaware’s middle class

Let’s get to it

QUICK POLL

What’s your favorite way to fill a free day?

From farmers markets to festivals, northern Delaware never runs short on options. The only challenge is picking which one to enjoy when you’ve got the time.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

💙 Sean’s House marks 5 years with new mindfulness space

Five years ago, Sean’s House opened on West Main Street in Newark with the hope that a few dozen young people might stop by to talk about mental health. Since then, more than 40,000 visitors have walked through the doors, and 165 lives have been saved through peer support.

Now the nonprofit has unveiled The Garage, a renovated space for yoga, mindfulness retreats, and quiet reflection. It is another way the SL24: UnLocke the Light foundation continues to expand access to 24/7 mental health resources for young people.

🎃 Fire trucks, costumes, and community at Brandywine Hundred

The Brandywine Hundred Fire Company is inviting families to its station on Saturday, Oct. 25 for a Children’s Halloween Parade and Open House. Expect guided tours, hands-on demos, a costume parade, treats, and plenty of photo ops at 1006 Brandywine Blvd. in Wilmington. The free event runs all day and is a chance for kids to meet firefighters up close.

Behind the fun is a serious ask: the company needs more volunteers to keep serving northern New Castle County 24/7. If you’ve ever thought about joining, this is the perfect time to learn how.

💵 Are you “middle class” in Delaware?

A new SmartAsset analysis, reported by the Delaware News Journal, pegs Delaware’s middle-class household income at $54,235 to $162,722. That slots the First State between Pennsylvania’s lower range and the higher brackets in Maryland and New Jersey. In short, Delaware sits in the regional middle on affordability while keeping pace with nearby states.

If you are straddling that range and still feeling squeezed, you are not alone. Surveys show many middle-income families cite rising costs for housing, insurance, and childcare.

IN BUSINESS

🍬 Sweet Toof Candy Co. opens near Newark

Craving something different? A new shop called Sweet Toof Candy Co. just opened at 1100 Ogletown Road in Newark, and it’s all about quirky confections you won’t find at Wawa. Owners Devon and David Sanchez stock vegan candy, small-batch sweets, “weird and unique” sodas, and even Philly’s Milk Jawn ice cream.

The shop skips the big brands like Twix and M&Ms in favor of offbeat treats, healthier options made with real fruit, and free cotton candy on Saturdays. Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sundays. The Newark Post has the full scoop.

🎭 Salesianum gets record $20M for the arts

Talk about a standing ovation. Salesianum School just announced a $20 million gift from the estate of alumnus James V. Tigani Jr., Class of 1954, the largest donation in school history. The funds will reimagine Spragg Auditorium into the new James V. Tigani Jr. Theater and anchor a $35 million Arts & Innovation Center with new studios, rehearsal rooms, and performance spaces.

The gift builds on nearly $70 million in transformative donations over the last decade, solidifying Sallies as a regional leader in arts, athletics, and academics.

🍺 Iron Hill Brewery closes all locations

Big news in Delaware dining. Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant has closed all 16 of its locations across the Mid-Atlantic, including the Riverfront and Rehoboth Beach spots. The announcement came just ten days after the sudden shutdown of its original Main Street Newark brewpub.

Founded in 1996, Iron Hill helped shape Delaware’s craft beer scene with upscale pub fare, award-winning brews, and even a signature hop water. At its peak, the chain employed 1,400 people and stretched as far south as Georgia. Rising costs and years of pandemic aftershocks proved too much to overcome.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🚓 New DSP Troop 6 opens at Prices Corner

Delaware State Police have officially moved into their new Troop 6 headquarters on Kirkwood Highway, a 34,000-square-foot facility that is six times larger than the original building from 1970. Visitors will find a welcoming lobby and even a community room available for public meetings and training.

Inside, troopers now have modern fitness facilities, upgraded workspaces, and specialized areas for investigations, victim services, and evidence. The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health also has an office on site, and outside a new monument honors fallen Troop 6 members.

🏘 Meyer warns towns on affordable housing

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer says the state may step in if local governments don’t loosen zoning laws to allow more affordable housing. According to Spotlight Delaware, his administration has rolled out a pilot program that gives towns technical support to update their codes, but Meyer added he’s ready to require affordable units if localities drag their feet.

The issue is especially pressing in Sussex County, where new housing has exploded but remains out of reach for many workers. Supporters say bold action is overdue, while critics warn state control over zoning could backfire.

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.

🎶 Cartoon Craze Cabaret lands in Wilmington

Ready for a throwback? Griffin Theatre’s Cartoon Craze Cabaret brings your favorite animated tunes to life on stage. Expect everything from Saturday morning classics to songs from blockbuster hits, performed with the kind of fun and heart only live theatre can deliver.

Performances are October 3 and 4 at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church in Wilmington, and tickets are just $15. Bonus: each night features a live auction of memorabilia from the Bears and Chairs fundraiser. Grab your seats here.

🎭 Disney’s Descendants hits Delaware Children’s Theatre

What happens when Maleficent, Jafar, Cruella, and the Evil Queen all have teenagers? You get Disney’s Descendants: The Musical, a high-energy stage show based on the hit Disney Channel movies. The Delaware Children’s Theatre is bringing the adventure to Wilmington with favorite songs, comedy, and plenty of mischief.

Shows run October 4–19 on weekends at the historic 1014 Delaware Ave. Playhouse. It’s the perfect pick for kids who love Disney, and for parents who secretly enjoy a good villain redemption arc.

🎭 The Two Gentlemen of Verona goes on tour

This fall, Delaware Shakespeare is packing up The Two Gentlemen of Verona and taking it on the road. The statewide Community Tour includes free performances at the Christina Cultural Arts Center, SsAM, and the Red Clay Adult Education Center in Wilmington. Ticketed shows pop up at Salesianum High School and Painted Stave Distilling. Expect comedy, clashing loyalties, and Shakespeare’s one and only on-stage dog.

Your ticket to a paid show helps fund the free ones in shelters, prisons, and community centers. See the full schedule here.

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

DOG OF THE WEEK

Say hello to Milani🐾

Meet Milani, a 7-year-old sweetheart with plenty of pep in her step. This lovely lady may be entering her golden years, but her playful spirit is still going strong. Milani adores splashing in the pool, chasing after toys, and hanging out with her canine companions.

She is the perfect mix of fun and affectionate, ready to bring joy, laughter, and love to her forever home. Whether she is showing off her best doggy paddle or curling up for a cozy evening, Milani is sure to steal your heart.

🐶 Come meet her at the BVSPCA’s Copeland Center for Animal Welfare.

THE HAPPENINGS

Multiple Days

Wilmington Black Restaurant Week. Wilmington Black Restaurant Week is back Sept. 28–Oct. 5, with dozens of restaurants serving up flavors that range from Southern classics to Afro-Caribbean favorites. It’s a chance to explore the city’s dining scene, discover new favorites, and support local chefs during this weeklong celebration of food and community.

Monday

Check out the Not So Shortlists below!

Tuesday

What the Funk – Brandywine Mills Plaza. Close out the Music in the Plaza season with a lively evening of funk from What the Funk, along with food from LS Good Eatins’, Uncle Johns BBQ, and Marley’s Caribbean Cuisine, plus local vendors. Tuesday, September 30 from 5 to 8 PM.

Rhythm & Brews – New Garden Park closes out its 2025 season with live music from Exit 93, yard games, food trucks, and local favorites Brothers Kershner Brewing and Harvest Ridge. Tuesday, September 30 from 6–8 PM. Free to attend.

Wednesday

Lunchtime Concert on the Arts Center Patio – Bellevue State Park. Take a midday break with live music from Wendy and Joe while relaxing on the patio or in the music garden. Wednesday, October 1 at 12 PM. Free with paid park admission.

Levitt AMP Wilmington Concert Series – Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange. Kick off the evening with the All That Shimmers Bubble Party at 5 PM, followed by local favorite Gdash Jones at 6:30 PM. The night’s headliner, Yilian Cañizares Resilience Trio, brings an unforgettable mix of jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban rhythms starting at 7 PM. Wednesday, October 1 at 5–9 PM. Free admission—bring a chair or blanket!

DE Music Network Open Mic Jam Session – Wilmington Public Library brings together regional talent from New York to D.C. for a night of live music and collaboration. With a house band, open mic slots, and networking opportunities, it’s a vibrant showcase for musicians and music lovers alike. Wednesday, October 1 from 6–10 PM.

Thursday

Garden Bros Nuclear Circus – Delaware Park Casino. Experience 100 minutes of nonstop thrills under the Big Top, featuring the Human Cannonball, Globe of Death, aerial stunts, and more, plus a family-friendly pre-show with rides and games. Thursday, October 2 through Sunday, October 5. Kids get in free with each adult ticket, and the first 100 adult tickets online are just $22.50.

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

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Monday

81 🌡️ 63 | ☁️ Mostly Cloudy | 3% | 💨 NE 7 mph

Tuesday

79 🌡️ 56 | ☁️ Overcast | 4% | 💨 NNE 9 mph

Wednesday

72 🌡️ 48 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 NNE 11 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 73ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS

• 🥳 Casual Plans

• 🌽 Farmers Markets

• 🧒 For the Kids

• 🧘 Health & Wellness

• 🎶 Live Music

• 🎭 Theatre/Arts 

• 🎨 Workshops & Classes

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