Renovations are underway at the Darley House. (Claymont Renaissance Development Corp.)

Darley House envisioned as home for Claymont entrepreneurs

Ken Mammarella Business, Headlines

  A new chapter is being written for the Darley House, a Claymont landmark where illustrator Felix Darley in 1862 created an important archetype of the modern Santa Claus. The state (which owns the half-acre property, on Philadelphia Pike and Darley Road) and the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp. (which rents it) are moving forward on plans to renovate the house …

A library branch is named after its prominent Brandywine Hundred location. (Ken Mammarella photo)

New group wants to preserve Brandywine Hundred history

Ken Mammarella Culture, Headlines

Brandywine Hundred native Dee Durham has a simple but important reason for creating the Brandywine Hundred Historical Society: “All those stories that we don’t want to lose.” “People want to learn about the about the history of where they live,” said member Pam Cawood Rizzo. The society, like most modern things, started out about a year ago digitally, with a …

The upcoming home of Tri-State Liquors will still be on the Tri-State Mall site. (courtesy of Andrew Byer)

One store’s still standing at Tri-State Mall

Ken Mammarella Business, Headlines

The news coverage of what’s happening at the old Tri-State Mall (which closed in 2015, leaving a small strip shopping center still running) has largely ignored a store that’s thrived there since 1984. Tri-State Liquors is still in business, as several signs on chain link fencing along Naamans Road proclaim, and it’s planning to move soon across the parking lot to …

This map spells out the plan for the First State Crossing warehouse.

Warehouse announced on 28 acres in First State Crossing

Ken Mammarella Business, Headlines

A developer has sold 28 acres in First State Crossing, a multiuse Claymont site that once housed a steel plant, and the buyer will build a 358,000-square-feet warehouse there. First Industrial Realty Trust is planning a rear-load facility with 68 dock door positions, a 40-foot clear height and parking for 241 trailers and 289 cars. The land is on the …

Uncle John's

Uncle John’s BBQ opens in former Claymont gas station

Pam George Culture, Headlines

John Berl doesn’t like to sit still, and his average walking pace would make some breathless. A few weeks after the long-awaited Uncle John’s BBQ Stand finally opened, he was zipping from the dining room through the open kitchen to the area holding the giant smoker — and back again. The restaurant at 2509 Philadelphia Pike in Claymont debuted Nov 15, but …

Claymont Electric Arc Park (Coastal Resilience Design Studio for the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp.)

Claymont eyed for new park with marina, amphitheater

Ken Mammarella Culture, Headlines

  A marina, an amphitheater and 4.4 miles of trails are among the features suggested in a proposal for a large new park in Claymont. “We have a team ready … to make it a first-rate amenity,” said Brett Saddler, executive director of the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp., referring to a group of Delawareans with expertise in the environment, recreation …

After years of waiting, sale of Tri-State Mall brings hope

Betsy Price Business, Headlines

  The former Levitz furniture outlet is scheduled to be demolished on July 14 (Ken Mammarella photo) Tri-State Mall has been sold, providing hope of a nicer future for the forlorn Claymont site. Katz Properties Retail of New York purchased the site on June 8, Sean Matthews, who represents the area in the state House, revealed on Facebook. “First and …