Photo by Rebecca Parsons
After a closure lasting over a year, this Delaware wine and spirits store brings a thoughtful design and curated selections to Delaware.
After more than a year of closure, Girard Craft and Cork finally reopened its doors in downtown Wilmington earlier this fall.
The Delaware wine and spirits store was set to reopen in spring 2021, but, due to unexpected hurdles, the date was pushed back.

“Target dates are always important, but, when opening or reopening a business, there are always unexpected hurdles that can push the date back,” says General Manager Danielle Baldwin. “We are happy to be ‘very softly opened’ and thankful to all of our new and return customers who have stopped in to support us and given us insight to their favorite items so we can round out our selection.”
Originally, the 9th Street Development Co.-owned (9SDC) storefront planned to open on Girard Street (hence the name), but, during the peaceful protest on May 30, 2020 that called for justice after the death of George Floyd, Girard Craft and Cork suffered from severe property damage and stolen goods.
Since then, the 224 West 9th St. location established a new look, a new brand and more at the hands of designer and art director Dallas Shaw.

“I have never seen a branded liquor store before and I wanted to create a place that is an actual vibe,” Shaw says. “Girard is light and fun and feels immediately Cali-cool upon walk in. It has abstract modern touches, and even Greek gods throughout the space. It’s not your average liquor store. I wanted this to be a neighborhood spot you would be proud to make your weekly wine spot.”
“The entire vibe and aesthetic of the store makes Girard stand out,” adds Baldwin. “The service we provide makes Girard a place people want to come hang out and browse the shelves a little bit longer. We have some awesome events planned in the coming months as well that typical stores just don’t do…We are unique in the sense that we aren’t just salespeople, we are storytellers, and each purchase will more than likely come with a dialogue about how/where it was made, the story behind the label, what makes it special, etc.”
On September 24, Girard Craft and Cork held a soft opening. On October 14, the storefront will hold a grand opening from 2-8 p.m. with special pours and even a ribbon cutting.

This Delaware store sells more than a thoughtfully curated selection of wine, beer and spirits. It tells a story with a gift-wrapping service, cards and Girard swag like Greek head planters and HALI HALI three-piece straws, rosé gummy bears and more.
On top of that, Girard Craft and Cork offers a monthly wine box subscription service called the Unrivaled Society of Spirits. For $99 a month, each box offers four to six bottles of hand-selected wine with special merchandise, discounts and 10 percent off additional wine purchases.
Follow along with Girard Craft and Cork’s journey on Instagram (@girardcraftandcork) or sign up to get exclusive info on upcoming events, promotions and more.
Girard Craft and Cork
224 West 9th St., Wilmington; 402-9463