By 1808Delaware
There is little doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, a major impact on retailing across Delaware County.
That includes the streets of downtown Delaware, where usually active retailers and other businesses saw far fewer customers and, in many cases, had to engage in expensive efforts to make their establishments safe for customers. While some money was received to help compensate for those expenses, shortfalls remain.
Some businesses used remarkable creativity to address this challenge, including Delaware’s own Strand Theatre on Winter Street.
Recently, Main Street Delaware set out to award unique efforts which these creative merchants used to attract customers. In that light, the Strand Theatre received a Business Innovation Award to honor their efforts.
The Strand started these programs from the start, as this April 2020 article in the Delaware Gazzette attests:
Popping in for movie treats – Delaware Gazette
By Glenn Battishill – [email protected] As one of the longest operating movie theaters in the country, the Strand Theatre has survived its fair share of challenges since 1916 by adapting to the times and relying on the community’s support.
According to the Strand website, Main Street Delaware shared the following in making this award: ““We’re inspired by The Strand’s Board of Directors and Managing Director Tracey Peyton for their innovation during the pandemic by offering curbside popcorn, streaming movies at home, marquee rentals, and bring-your-own movie promotion,” Bibler said. “The Strand is such an important part of our downtown, and we can’t wait to see it return to its original love of showing first-run movies.”
