Wilmington developers shift focus to restaurants, bars

With 150 new apartments spread over six buildings along North Market Street in Wilmington, downtown development king Buccini/Pollin is shifting its focus and resources to build up the restaurants, bars and shops in the area.

“We could build more glass, shiny towers, but that is not what is going to change this city. It is the coffee shops and the bike lanes; it is those kinds of things that get people here on nights and weekends,” said Chris Buccini, co-president of the company, speaking to the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday.

Buccini and his brother, Rob Buccini, said they have several projects in the works, including a microbrewery, a restaurant/bar and coffee shop. The development firm is behind more than a dozen developments in Wilmington in the central business district and on the Riverfront.

“A few more restaurants and a lot more residents, there will be more people out on the street after 5 o’clock and a lot more to do,” Rob Buccini said.

The Merchant Bar at 426 N. Market St., a new eatery from the owners of the critically acclaimed La Fia Bakery + Market + Bistro, will serve up light bites and drinks at a new space on the corner of Fifth and Market streets.

“It is going to be the kind of place that you can come in, and it will be casual bar seating with larger tables and a lounge area,” said Bryan Sikora, the owner and chef at La Fia.

Construction is ongoing at the space, and Sikora said he hopes to have an opening party before the New Year.

The menu will not be extensive, but Sikora said it will consist of small plates and shareable appetizers, as well as approachable yet interesting entrées, à la carte cheeses and cured meats. There also will be a full bar and several beers and wines on tap. Sikora said he is excited to have space for some live music in the bar, too.

“We are trying to support the scene without opening another restaurant,” Sikora said. “Customers, when they are leaving my restaurant, they are looking for something to do. You need more than one or two reasons to bring people into the area.”

Sikora and his wife, Andrea Sikora, opened his second restaurant in Wilmington, Cucina Lolo, a Mexican restaurant at 405 N. King St., in July.

Also on the 800 block of N. Market St., Buccini/Pollin is helping to develop a microbrewery and restaurant called 3 Doors Brewing Co. Scott Morrison, owner of Chelsea Tavern and Ernest & Scott Taproom, is the man behind the microbrewery and said the goal is to produce enough beer for all three restaurants.

The brewpub will serve up a mix of barbecue and other healthier lunch favorites such as soups, salads and sandwiches, Morrison said.

“My concern with barbecue is, how often can you eat it? The way most people eat is healthy most of the time, and then you splurge,” Morrison said. That is how he is designing the eclectic menu. The restaurant also will offer pick-up, curbside pick-up and delivery.

Morrison said he wants to make 3 Doors Brewing Co. a regular destination for residents in the area.

In addition to the new microbrewery, Morrison said he will also run a beer garden in a space near Chelsea Tavern where there is a walkway through to Shipley Street. As part of a new Buccini/Pollin development at Ninth and Shipley streets, called the Residences at Midtown Park, the developers will tear down 817 Market St., opening up the walkway and allowing room for the 200-seat beer garden. Morrison expects the brewery to open by May.

“Our goal is to have five new restaurants open on Market Street and the Riverfront by next summer, and I think we are well on our way,” Rob Buccini said.

In the meantime, Buccini/Pollin is still working on building up the number of residential buildings downtown and expects to begin construction on the Residences at Midtown Park in December. The development will include 550 parking spaces and 200 apartments, adding to the 18 residential properties the company has in Wilmington.

Of approximately 2,300 units, Buccini/Pollin has a 94 percent occupancy rate, said Mike Hare, senior vice president for development.

The company also will continue to flex its muscle on the Riverfront as it considers building another hotel and a 150,000-square-foot office building there, Rob Buccini said.

“Riverfront is an easy sell,” Buccini said. “It is urban, but we call it suburban-urban so someone who may not want to live in an urban area, but sort of does, it is an easy sell for them. Parking is relatively easy; you have a lot of brands down there now. Now, from our standpoint, we just build all that we can absorb.”

Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2837. Follow her on Twitter @JennaPizzi.