MILLSBORO, Del.- The town of Millsboro is looking to draw more national restaurants and retailers.
Since last summer, the town has been partnering with Buxton, a match-making firm from Texas, to find new businesses interested in opening shops there.
"I'd say we've been pleased so far," says town manager Sheldon Hudson. "Last spring we asked our residents what kind of stores they would like to see in the area and we're using that information along with other data from Buxton to bring more national sit-down restaurants and retailers to town," he adds.
Hudson says the $50,000 investment will help them far after the contract with the firm is over.
"We're hoping to continue these partnerships and make even more connections with the data we collected," says Hudson.
Millsboro has seen significant growth in the number of businesses opening in town. In 2018, they welcomed a new ChickAFil-A and a Royal Farms. This year, a Taco Bell and an Ashley Furniture store are under construction. Additionally, a Tractor Supply store is set to open in February.
Hudson hopes these new stores, alongside with the partnership, will help keep the momentum going in both the downtown area and on Dupont Boulevard.
Some local business owners say that the arrival of new chains is something they welcome because it helps the area to grow.
"More houses are being built, more people are coming to live here so, in order to support the entire town, we need those stores," says Frank Dubinski, who owns the restaurant Plate and Palate located in Downtown Millsboro. "I think that more businesses are going be beneficial in the long term," he adds.