Downtown Wilmington, with its restaurants, bars, numerous landmarks and attractions and unique, independent retailers, has been hit hard by coronavirus pandemic restrictions, but an effort has been building to revive its previous vibrancy.

Terry Espy, president of the Downtown Business Alliance and real estate and brokerage firm MoMentum Companies, appeared on BizTalk on Wednesday to discuss the Downtown Alive survey and initative that aims to help with the broader reopening of downtown.

The survey received nearly 1,000 responses and has been one of the signs of residents' eagerness to get downtown Wilmington going again, potentially through temporary street closures on certain days to allow more room for shoppers and diners.

Espy is optimistic about downtown's future, she said Wednesday.

"We do land back on our feet and we take pride in the diversity of businesses that come down here and the support that we have for one another," Espy said.

View the full conversation below.

 
 

Coming up:

On Thursday, Next Glass’ new CEO Trace Smith talks about recent changes for Wilmington-based startup Untappd, including investment from an equity firm.

And on Friday, Zane Bennett, executive director of Plantation Village, joins us to talk about keeping senior residents healthy in the face of COVID-19.