UDairy Creamery closing Wilmington shop for good Oct. 25

The University of Delaware announced Friday morning that after three years of operation it was closing its downtown Wilmington ice cream shop for good on Oct. 25.

The university said the reason for the closing of the site at 815 Market St. was the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and "concurrent financial constraints," according to a Facebook post.

UD Creamery will continue operations in 2021 in Wilmington at farmers markets, Frawley Stadium, Riverfront Market and the Café at Arsht Hall on the University of Delaware Wilmington Campus on Pennsylvania Avenue.

It also is keeping its flagship Newark location open.

Last week, the university said it is facing a budget deficit of about $250 million due to COVID-19 and that cost-cutting measures would include layoffs, a voluntary retirement program and voluntary staff hour reductions.

UDairy Creamery, the downtown Wilmington business that served ice cream as well as hamburgers, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, salads and other foods, drew a large crowd for its grand opening in May 2017. 

More:Cafe Riviera owners keeping Concord Mall pizzeria open

Among those in attendance were Gov. John Carney, Mayor Michael Purzycki, University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis and Mark Rieger, dean of UD's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The shop in a building owned by the Buccini/Pollin Group was seen as a boon for the downtown area.

UD was able to bring ice cream made from university-owned Holsteins to a new market, while providing jobs to students in the Wilmington-based Associate in Arts Program. BPG received another long-term tenant in its ongoing efforts to revitalize Market Street. 

[Story continues below]

The pandemic has had a devastating effect on Delaware's, and the nation's, restaurant industry since restaurants were shutdown in mid-March, and then only allowed to operate at 60% capacity.

Restaurants in the state have lost $700 million in sales revenues, and 81% of operators estimate they will be operating at a financial loss in six months, according to a recent Delaware Restaurant Association survey.

The survey also found that an estimated 20% to 30% of Delaware restaurants may close permanently due to the devastating financial losses suffered during the shutdown and limited reopening.

Pizza Hut no longer has any standalone restaurants in Delaware. Six locations in the state recently have closed. Four remain that are focused on carryout and delivery service.

The owners of Crossroads, a popular comfort foods restaurant at Kirkwood Highway and Limestone Road in Milltown, said in July that they had permanently closed the site because "social distancing requirements have made it impossible for us to continue operations."

Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico