Empire Wine & Spirits joins Frederica complex
Site is adjacent to SpringHill Suites, DE Turf
An empire has grown just off Del. 1 in Frederica.
With the opening of Empire Wine & Spirits on Friday, the Asbury Square complex has added another establishment to the burgeoning area across from the DE Turf Sports Complex.
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Empire Wine & Spirits joins Frederica complex
Site is adjacent to SpringHill Suites, DE Turf
By Elle WoodFREDERICA — An empire has grown just off Del. 1.
With the opening of Empire Wine & Spirits on Friday, the Asbury Square complex has added another establishment to the burgeoning area across from the DE Turf Sports Complex.
It joins a SpringHill Suites hotel in a site being developed by the Meoli Companies and other partners.
It’s the second Empire location for owners Rishi Sharma and Sukhpal Singh, whose first is in Middletown.
However, their path to success was not easy.
“When I came to this country, $500 in my pocket,” Mr. Singh said. “And I gave that money to the taxi driver.”
He and his partner expressed their gratitude to those at the ribbon cutting who led them to success.
Those supporters united with Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long at the store’s opening Friday. She spoke about the importance of Asbury Square in the economic development of Delaware.
“When we can come out and cut a ribbon that’s going to impact our community in positive ways, meaning that it will affect jobs and is a reflection of Kent County’s vibrancy, (it’s) really important,” she said.
John Paradee, a partner in the complex, said Empire Wine & Spirits is just part of developers’ plans for the location.
“We have a lot of irons in the fire,” he said. “We are talking to people who want to put restaurants here, whether it’s fast food or sitdown, retail, convenience, gas and more.”
Asbury Square representatives want to continue making Frederica a hot spot for travelers and locals alike.
“A rising tide lifts all boats,” Mr. Paradee said. “Our hope is, as each new tenant and each new business opens up in Asbury Square, it will bring more jobs (and more) people who are interested in central Delaware to visit or stay.”
With Empire now open, he said he is looking ahead.
“It’s kind of corny, but it’s true what they say, ‘If you build it, they will come,’ Mr. Paradee said. “A lot of people doubted that this would be a good location, and we had confidence.”
Empire Wine & Spirits is at 91 Dominus Drive. For information, visit its Facebook page.
