Open season: Eateries, entertainment, fitness and industrial ventures grow in the First State

By Logan B. Anderson
Posted 3/28/22

Food and entertainment options are popping up in Milford, fitness and learning opportunities are underway in Middletown, and jobs and industrial space are expanding in New Castle. Recent …

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Open season: Eateries, entertainment, fitness and industrial ventures grow in the First State

Posted

Food and entertainment options are popping up in Milford, fitness and learning opportunities are underway in Middletown, and jobs and industrial space are expanding in New Castle. Recent announcements statewide show business opportunities are taking off in the First State.

Bagels, wings and axes

Surf Bagel, Buffalo Wild Wings and an ax-throwing venue are making their ways to Milford.

Recently, SoDel Concepts, a Rehoboth Beach-based hospitality company, announced that it is opening a Surf Bagel near downtown.

The eatery, which specializes in New York-style bagels, flavored cream cheeses, bagel sandwiches and other breakfast and lunch items, is a recent acquisition for SoDel, which purchased its two current locations in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach in November 2021.

The Milford Surf Bagel will join a long menu of restaurant and entertainment enterprises owned by SoDel.

The bagel shop will open at 204 N.E. Front St. — next to the Arena’s sports bar/restaurant and Bicentennial Park — hopefully by the end of 2022.

Just east of this location, Newark-based group High 5 Hospitality recently received approval from Milford City Council to build a Buffalo Wild Wings at Del. 1 and Silicato Parkway.

It will join Grotto Pizza and Royal Farms at the spot. The 2 1/2-acre parcel will also include retail space for a to-be-announced merchant.

The establishment is expected to be 4,500 square feet, include outdoor seating and employ more than 60.

If getting out some frustration is more your game, the Harris family will open Kiss My Axe in early April on the west side of Milford.

The ax-chunking venture will be adjacent to easySpeak spirits on Del. 14, in a location formerly occupied by JT James Performance, which is relocating to a larger facility by the Greater Milford Boys & Girls Club.

“We have started the build process by stripping out some existing walls already and coating the new floors. New ax-throwing lanes are planned to be started framing this week,” owner Scott Harris said.

Once open, walk-in customers will be welcome, and the space will be available for birthday parties or other events.

“Targeted to be open for business as early as the first week in April, if all goes according to schedule,” Mr. Harris said.

For information, visit kissmyaxede.com.

Middletown YMCA coming soon

YMCA of Delaware recently announced that construction has begun on the Middletown YMCA, near Silver Lake.

The facility will boast a full-sized gym, an indoor pool, fitness options for individuals of diverse abilities, multiple fitness studios, a STEM room for youth, a children’s adventure zone, a community education room, a universal locker room and a spacious lobby.

Additionally, there will be an outdoor wellness space made possible by the state of Delaware, providing a full public basketball court, two pickleball courts, a splash park adjacent to the Silver Lake Pool, a playground, a space for fitness classes and parking shared with the New Castle County Library’s Middletown Branch, Silver Lake Elementary School, Silver Lake Pool and recreation and sports fields.

“We are incredibly excited to finally break ground on this long-awaited YMCA,” said Jim Kelly, YMCA of Delaware’s interim CEO. “This is a huge milestone for the Y, as we continue our goal to positively impact as many people as possible in the communities we serve. This project, which would not be possible without the significant support from the town of Middletown and the state of Delaware, will have the power to fuel economic development, improve community health outcomes, empower youth and bring people from all walks of life together.”

New Castle Amazon complex to grow

The facility that houses an Amazon Fulfillment Center in New Castle — along U.S. 13 and Federal School Road — is expected to expand by more than 500,000 square feet of warehouse space.

Part of Blue Diamond Park, the project is working its way through the New Castle County Department of Land Use. Plans call for the construction of two warehouses, though tenants have not been announced.

Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania-based Stoltz Real Estate Partners is the developer. The application was filed with the county earlier this month.

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