West Side Wednesdays highlights small businesses in historic, diverse Wilmington neighborhood
Draft beers from Dead Presidents Pub & Restaurant celebrate a sunny day of al fresco dining. Image by April Pagliassotti.
In the West Side of Wilmington, Delaware, and beyond, neighbors can rejoice at the warming of the weather and the return of outdoor dining throughout the city, including West Side Grows Together’s own West Side Wednesdays, a recurring weekly promotional event occurring at select small businesses throughout the West Side, once called the “Little United Nations” for its reputation as a melting pot of cultures.
West Side Wednesdays, slated to occur weekly from May 5th through September 29th, will feature outdoor dining and unique promotions at a variety of small businesses throughout the West Side. Most of these establishments highlight the diversity the community is known for, such as 4th Street stronghold Dominican Cafe, Ristorante Attilio, Lopez La Espiga Bakery, Kozy Korner, and Dino’s Ice Cream and Italian Water Ice. The event series also welcomes neighborhood newcomers Go Vegan Philly and House of Laffs, both of which opened to critical acclaim in the midst of the pandemic.
“We really wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without the support of all our amazing business owners who have been sticking it out and adapting to survive all these hardships this last year has thrown at them. They are the rockstars here--and thanks to the cooperation of our partners, the City of Wilmington, Committee of 100, and community members, we are now in year two of this endeavor and I’m grateful to say that it’s only growing in both size and support,” said April Pagliassotti, Community Development Manager at Cornerstone West CDC, operating backbone of West Side Grows Together.
Participating businesses this year including a variety of retail, restaurants, and service-based businesses who will feature outdoor dining and/or promotions such as featured dishes, discounts, and even the opportunity to win a private cooking lesson with Chef Luigi Vitrone of Pastabilities, who was featured in a 2019 episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Charitable patrons may partake in Frank’s Wine’s popular al fresco tastings which charge a nominal $5 entry fee that is donated to a local featured non-profit organization.
Customers are invited to dine, shop, and play at participating businesses every Wednesday starting May 5th. Attendees may view the full list of participating businesses and specials at westsidegrows.org/westsideweds, and prospective participating businesses may learn more or sign up at bit.ly/wwsignup21.
# # #
West Side Grows Together is a coalition of residents, businesses, churches, and local leadership in the West Side of Wilmington, Delaware, working together to transform & strengthen their community. Follow West Side Grows Together on the Web, Facebook & Instagram for more information and program updates.