The phrase “New Year, New You” is lame and outdated, but leveling up should always be the goal! Whether it’s learning a new hobby, or getting your sweat on, here are some ways to enhance your game in 2021.
Try out that new hobby!
Self improvement isn’t just about getting in shape and eating your greens. A new hobby is a great way to put your best foot forward in 2021. Below are some local vendors, some of which are offering in person and virtual learning!
Silverstem Plants- Raise your hand if you’ve ACCIDENTALLY killed a plant before? **Cue Faceplant** Silverstem Plants offers a number of services, even a free consultation to help you decide on what plant is best for your lifestyle! Then they’ll schedule a contactless drop off for you! We also saw them set up shop around town this past fall at some of the open markets, like at Milk + Honey Coffeehouse!
Squeezebox Records- I am OBSESSED with old school records and am always trying to find a hidden gem. Sometimes record shops just haven’t curated a solid collection, BUT NOT Squeezebox Records! The literal WAREHOUSE is a dream if you love to spend your days flipping through old vinyls. You’ll find some eclectic offerings! Think of everything from Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash to 2Pac.
Delaware Art Museum-This Wilmington staple houses substantial exhibitions as well as the six-acre Copeland Sculpture Garden. Their virtual art classes offer everything from photography to metalsmithing, creative writing and painting.
Delaware Contemporary- You’ll find your new hobby through their “Art Takeout: Object of the Month” that helps you connect with an art object on display at the Contemporary. In your kit you’ll get a small print of an art object, a sensorial pairing that connects to the art (food tasting, aroma therapy oils, and an art-making activity). What a great way to dip your toes in the art world!
Riverfront Bakery-Think you’re an expert on pastries because you binge watched “The Great British Baking Show?” Put your spatula where your mouth is and sign up for baking classes at Riverfront Bakery. Beginning on Thursday 1/14 and running every 2 weeks after, learn how to make everything from cream puff filling, to brown sugar shortbread, to a kid’s class! Contact the bakery to reserve your class at riverfrontbakery@gmail.com, or 302-521-0550.
Urban Bike Project– Work on your bike! The UBC is a non-profit community bike shop that supports Wilmington communities by providing access to bicycling as a healthy, affordable and practical means of transportation and recreation. They offer frames and classic bikes for you to soup up as “Project Bikes” and access to their shop for DIY repairs during their Open Shop hours. They are also hoping to offer in person mechanics classes soon!
Delaware Center for Horticulture- Take advantage of the DCH’s virtual classes, where you can pre-order a kit and tune in online to learn how to make different arrangements, like their Valentine’s Virtual Floral Workshop in February!
Fuel your body!
Whether you’re looking to drop some LB’s or just fuel and love on your body, there are places to eat around town that will TASTE good and make you FEEL good.
Drop Squad Kitchen-A SOLID vegan lunch spot with a soul food twist! It’s a favorite for locals (especially those that live on the Riverfront).
Juice Joint- We love Lanice and Renee at Juice Joint, who believe that food can be used as medicine. Down on the Riverfront, this cozy, chic smoothie place has cold pressed juices, salads, and “fancy toasts”. Take a jog, walk, or bike on the Riverwalk right across the street!
Honeybee Kitchen and Market– Honeybee Kitchen and Market is dedicated to promoting and preserving local farmland and farms. We love that we can shop here to bring local ingredients home, or their grab and go premade meals or smoothies made to order. Their bragging rights are that most of their inventory and ingredients are sourced within one hour’s drive from their store.
Greenbox Kitchen- This “fast-casual” restaurant has everything from salads to smoothies! They are an easy stop for breakfast or lunch while still maintaining your health goals. They recently won the Best of Delaware 2020 “Best Vegan/Vegetarian Friendly” award.
EatCleanDE- We just discovered this place on Market! They specialize in health conscious comfort food using local organic ingredients, and we hear their juice cleanse program is a great way to reset your body from the holiday sweets and cocktails.
Get your sweat on!
We couldn’t write this without including some sweaty spots for those who need the stress relief or do want to get into shape.
Riv Athletics– We tried out their “easier” Bootcamp class and got our butts handed to us! Laura and Mike Mood opened this “box” right before COVID, and we were so impressed by the precautions they’ve taken in their 12,000 sq. ft. space! You can also do Crossfit here!
HiLo Fitness- Delaware’s ONLY Versaclimber and Lagre Megaformer fitness studio. These unique pieces of equipment give an INSANE total body cardio workout like you’ve never seen before! Also peruse the cute “shop” they have up front for workout/casual wear and jewelry by local artists.
Pure Yoga/Pilates– Pure Yoga prides itself on the non-intimidating approach towards learning, which is a must for any beginner or someone perfecting their skills. Their belief that yoga has the ability to foster a sense of community and enrich people’s everyday lives makes them a perfect fit for Trolley/West Side’s tight knit community.
Goju-Robics- With virtual and in-person classes, this martial arts studio has classes for youth and adults! Located conveniently on the Riverfront, try out kickboxing or one of their personal training classes.
Downtown YMCA- The YMCA is going strong and is still offering fitness classes sponsored by Les Mills training and open lap swim hours. With 2 indoor basketball courts, a walking track, squash and racquetball, it’ll be easy to maintain your workouts in the colder months.
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