It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting The Old State House in Dover, DE gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Dover, DE is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Here's what I posted on Google and Facebook: Life would have been a lot harder without Always Best Care in my life, I have COPD and I am on oxygen full time at level 4 so doing daily chores are out question without my caregiver Ricci Anthony who has been taking tremendous care of me for 3 years this August 2022 and I thank God everyday for him. Every time he arrives he immediately says Hi checks in with me to see how I am doing. As well as, every time he departs I thank him for all that he does for me and I tell him I love him Ricci replies in same likeness. Ricci and I are incredible friends, it’s closer to a dad and son relationship. We’re both strong Christian me. As for Chelsea who does Intake and is the Schedules for Always Best Care equally an amazing individual. Don’t let her young age fool you on the contrary she is a powerhouse. She’s highly a professional, she’s industrious, highly intelligent, she’s a great friend and you can always depend on her to be in support for you. Always Best Care is always best care.”
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“The highlights for me is The boss man Bryant Greene, and most of his awesome staff. Mr. Greene, his brother Al Billz and staff always looked out for me even when I was ill. I love them and Always Best Care to the moon and back!”
“Kathy McClure is a problem solver. She assisted us on Long Term Care Reimbursement and took us thru the process smoothly.”
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“Always Best Care Senior Services of Philadelphia abides by the highest standards in the provision of in-home care.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Silver Lake Park in Dover, DE with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Roma Italian Restaurant or visit Bradford-Loockerman House, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Dover, DE, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Dover, DE understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Dover, DE 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
National Weather Service damage surveys confirmed four tornadoes in Delaware and Maryland on Aug. 20, with three rated EF-1 and one rated EF-0. No fatalities or injuries were reported. The first tornado of the day touched down near Barclay, Maryland, from a supercell thunderstorm that continued east into Delaware, where three additional tornadoes developed, including an EF-1 tornado that caused significant damage in Dover.Barclay, MD – EF-1An EF-1 tornado touched down near Barclay, Maryland, at 5:41 p.m. ...
National Weather Service damage surveys confirmed four tornadoes in Delaware and Maryland on Aug. 20, with three rated EF-1 and one rated EF-0. No fatalities or injuries were reported. The first tornado of the day touched down near Barclay, Maryland, from a supercell thunderstorm that continued east into Delaware, where three additional tornadoes developed, including an EF-1 tornado that caused significant damage in Dover.
Barclay, MD – EF-1
An EF-1 tornado touched down near Barclay, Maryland, at 5:41 p.m. Aug. 20. The tornado traveled only 0.5 miles, with a maximum width of 65 yards and estimated peak winds of 95 to 105 mph, before dissipating at 5:42 p.m. The tornado began about 2 miles west of Barclay in a wooded area near Dell Foxx Road and Barclay Road, where it snapped and uprooted several softwood and hardwood trees near a residence. It then moved east across a bean field and onto a residential property along Benton Corner Road, where additional trees, including a large cedar, were snapped at the trunk. No fatalities or injuries were reported.
Marydel, DE – EF-1
Near Marydel, Delaware, another EF-1 tornado developed and traveled 1.33 miles in about two minutes, beginning at 5:54 p.m. and ending at 5:56 p.m. Peak winds were estimated at 90 to 100 mph, with a maximum path width of 60 yards. The tornado began along Grygo Road, about a quarter-mile south of Mahan Corner Road, where it downed tree limbs near a residence. It then crossed Grygo Road and uprooted two large oak trees that fell onto the corner of a home. The tornado continued east-northeast into a heavily wooded area, where drone footage showed a narrow path of snapped branches and uprooted trees. On the other side of the woods, a residence along Parkers Chapel Road sustained the total loss of an old barn and shed, along with additional tree and branch damage.
Hazlettville, DE – EF-0
A third tornado, rated EF-0, occurred near Hazlettville, Delaware, from 6:02 to 6:03 p.m. The tornado traveled 0.6 miles and reached a maximum width of 100 yards, with estimated peak winds of 70 to 80 mph. It began in a field just east of a residential area, where discontinuous swirl marks were observed in a cornfield. The tornado then moved east-northeast toward a group of chicken houses and an open-air barn, removing nearly half of the barn’s metal roof panels. Minor damage also occurred to the metal roofs of the chicken houses and a nearby row of ground-mounted solar panels. The tornado continued across two more cornfields before dissipating just south of a residence and before reaching Bryants Corner Road.
Dover, DE – EF-1
The strongest and most destructive tornado of the day struck Dover, Delaware, where peak winds were estimated at 100 to 110 mph. The EF-1 tornado began about 2 miles southwest of Dover at 6:09 p.m. and traveled 3.2 miles before dissipating about 1 mile north-northeast of the city at 6:14 p.m. The tornado damaged the Dover Little League fields at Schutte Park, snapping at least seven large wooden light fixtures and damaging fencing and scoreboards. It also damaged the City of Dover VanSant Generating Station before causing significant damage at a factory warehouse, where concrete block walls collapsed, trailers were overturned and part of the metal roof was removed. The tornado later weakened through downtown Dover before intensifying near Kings Highway and North Dupont Highway, where it peeled roughly half the roof from a motel, damaged a neighboring motel roof and toppled two large business signs.
DOVER, DEL. (July 22, 2026) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting two additional positive measles cases, totaling four in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a measles outbreak as three or more cases of measles that are connected by time and location. Extensive contact tracing is ongoing to identify anyone exposed to the individuals who tested positive. DPH will notify people who were identified as exposed to confirm whether they have been vaccinated against mea...
DOVER, DEL. (July 22, 2026) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting two additional positive measles cases, totaling four in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a measles outbreak as three or more cases of measles that are connected by time and location. Extensive contact tracing is ongoing to identify anyone exposed to the individuals who tested positive. DPH will notify people who were identified as exposed to confirm whether they have been vaccinated against measles, provide educational resources, and to recommend treatment when necessary. More information will be forthcoming if contact tracing reveals any known public exposures.
The measles cases identified to date are unvaccinated adult males in Kent County. DPH is unable to provide more details about the individuals who tested positive at this time due to medical privacy restrictions. People who are unvaccinated, pregnant, immunocompromised, or too young to be vaccinated face the highest risk of severe complications during a measles outbreak. Pregnant persons, immunocompromised persons, or children less than 6 months old who have come into contact with someone suspected to have measles, should immediately contact their primary care provider or Delawares Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at 302-744-4990 for guidance.
Unvaccinated individuals or those unsure of their vaccination status who get exposed to a person with measles should contact their primary care provider or a public health clinic to obtain an MMR vaccine.
Delawareans are encouraged to confirm their vaccination status as well as the status of their children. If they are unsure of their vaccination status, they can visit the DelVAX Public Portal and view their personal profile. Individuals may also contact their primary health care provider for additional details if they are unable to obtain their records on DelVAX.
Generally, anyone showing any symptoms of measles should seek immediate health care by contacting their primary care provider. If symptoms are severe, they should seek immediate care at the nearest emergency department. Prior to going to any health care facility, the individual should notify providers and medical transport that they or their child were exposed to measles. If you do not have a provider, contact a public health clinic.
About the MMR Vaccine The MMR vaccine is proven safe and effective at preventing measles having been administered for over five decades. Testing shows the MMR vaccine to be 97% effective at preventing measles for those who have received two doses of the MMR vaccine and are not severely immunocompromised. Children should get their first dose of vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age and their second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. If you have not received both doses by age 6, you should get your first or second dose as soon as possible. Infants 6 to 11 months who are traveling internationally or who are in an area experiencing a measles outbreak or exposure should receive one early dose of MMR vaccine. Vaccinations are available to both adults and children at many pharmacies, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and providers throughout Delaware and also at public health clinics for the uninsured or underinsured. Individuals should contact their preferred facility in advance to confirm supply and availability. Generally, you are considered protected (immune) if you were: • Born before 1957, or • Given a laboratory test that confirmed that you had measles at some point in your life, or • Given a laboratory test that confirmed you are immune to measles, or • Have received two doses of measles-containing vaccine (usually given as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine).
Where to Get Vaccinated Vaccines may be available at facilities like pharmacies and primary care providers. Call your preferred facility to ensure they have the MMR vaccine and are available to administer it. If your preferred facility does not have the vaccine, you may be able to receive a vaccine at a Public Health Clinic. A list of Public Health Clinics is at https://publichealthalerts.delaware.gov/public-health-clinics/. Call your preferred clinic before going to confirm they have vaccine available.
Information for Providers If health care providers identify potential cases, they should contact the DPH Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology (OIDE) during regular business hours (302-744-4990) or the state’s 24-hour reporting line at 1-888-295-5156 outside of normal business hours to coordinate testing, receive guidance, and limit any further exposures.
About Measles Measles is a highly contagious, acute viral illness that begins with early symptoms of fever, cough, coryza (runny nose) and conjunctivitis (pink eye), lasting two to four days prior to rash onset. The rash typically occurs three to five days after symptoms begin and usually appears on the face and spreads down the body. Measles can cause severe health complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation and death. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. The measles virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. Infected people are contagious from four days before the rash starts through four days after rash development. The incubation period for measles from exposure to fever is usually about 10 days (range, seven to 12 days), and from exposure to rash onset is usually about 14 days (range, seven to 21 days). For more information on measles, visit de.gov/measles.
Over the past couple of years, Delaware Public Media has reported on the fate of the fading Concord Mall in North Wilmington — another example of the demise of that particular retail concept.But there is another mall in the First State similar to Concord Mall that seems to be defying the odds and remaining viable. And we’re not talking about the Christiana Mall which is a very different animal. We’re talking about the Dover Mall.Recently, that mall got a boost from the planned revival of a movie theater there and this week...
The curtain will soon go up on the next act for Dover Mall with the opening of Dover 14, a multi-screen, amenity-rich movie theater and the largest new presence in the mall in years.
Operated by a local entrepreneur who already owns three cinemas, the multiplex replaces a national AMC venue, which abruptly closed in 2024, leaving the mall without a theatre for the first time in 40 years.
The opening of Dover Movies 14 later this summer or early fall marks more than the return of first-run films. It represents a step in the evolution of one of the state's best-known shopping centers, where the traditional department store model is steadily giving way to a broader mix of services and destination businesses.
When AMC turned off the lights, Dover suddenly became an anomaly: a state capital without a nearby movie theater. Residents wanting to catch the latest blockbuster faced a roughly 30-minute drive north to Middletown or 40 minutes south to Milford.
AMC said at the time that the closure followed the company's routine review of theater performance and business opportunities. But the departure reflected a larger national trend. Major theater chains have become increasingly selective, trimming locations that fail to meet profitability goals as movie attendance has yet to recover from the pandemic, when movie goers started nesting at home and binged with an ever-expanding menu of streaming options.
The leading man at Dover 14 is independent theater operator Arthur Helmick, whose family already operates successful cinemas in Newark, Middletown and Milford. Helmick is investing in a comprehensive modernization designed to lure patrons off the couch and into the theatre for an experience they can’t get at home.
Moviegoers can expect advanced laser projection for sharper images, Dolby sound systems, heated stadium-style reclining seats, online reserved ticketing, self-serve popcorn stations and an interactive AI-powered selfie wall designed to encourage visitors to share their experience on social media. The theater will also feature a full slate of major Hollywood releases and upgraded concession offerings.
"Our focus is always on innovation and creating a memorable experience for our guests," Helmick said in announcing the deal.
That philosophy reflects one advantage many independent theater operators believe they hold over national chains. With fewer corporate layers, locally owned theaters can respond more quickly to customer preferences, upgrade amenities, and tailor programming to local audiences. They can nimbly accommodate patrons who prefer Jolly Ranchers over Junior Mints. Lower overhead and deep familiarity with their communities also can make indie locations financially viable where larger companies see diminishing returns.
The theater lease also represents one of the largest retail transactions completed at Dover Mall since AMC's departure.
Built in 1982, Dover Mall has experienced many of the same challenges facing enclosed shopping centers nationwide. The decline of department stores, growing competition from online retail and changing consumer habits have forced mall owners to rethink how their properties can attract customers.
Owned by Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group, Dover is second only to Christiana Mall in size in Delaware, with 927,414 square feet. Despite the decline in shopping malls, the property has steadily diversified its tenant mix. The former Sears anchor now houses It's My Style Home Furnishings, which operates stores from North Dover to the Delaware beaches. Other anchors include Boscov’s, JCPenney, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, plus junior anchor Old Navy. A Walmart truck-driving school opened in part of the mall in 2022. Other spaces, including the former Macy's anchor store, remain vacant.
Over the years, the mall also has reflected changing social norms. In 1983, a six-screen multiplex theater opened, expanding to 14 screens in 1996. In 1993, Dover Mall became one of the first shopping centers in Delaware to prohibit indoor smoking after a survey of 500 shoppers found nearly 80 percent supported the ban.
Today's transformation is less about public health than economic survival.
Across the country, many aging multiplexes have disappeared altogether, with former theaters converted into pickleball facilities, churches, fitness centers, medical offices and family entertainment venues. Where new theaters are being built, developers increasingly favor smaller luxury cinemas or boutique concepts that serve as one piece of a broader entertainment district rather than the primary attraction.
That shift reflects changing consumer expectations. While the number of screens has not declined dramatically, the number of viewers has shrunk.
A recent Pew Research Center survey found that 53 percent of U.S. adults had visited a movie theater during the previous year. Younger audiences remain the industry's strongest supporters: 67 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 reported going to the movies, compared with 39 percent of adults 65 and older. Income also plays a role, with 64 percent of upper-income Americans attending theaters during the year versus 43 percent of lower-income adults.
Increasingly, that experience extends beyond the auditorium.
Successful mall redevelopments around the country have paired theaters with restaurants, outdoor gathering spaces and entertainment venues that encourage visitors to spend an entire evening rather than making a single shopping trip. Easton Town Center in Columbus, Ohio, Tysons Corner Center in Virginia and Westfield UTC near San Diego all have embraced a "dinner-and-a-movie" model in which restaurants benefit from steady evening traffic generated by nearby cinemas as consumers enjoy a bite to eat and/or cocktails before or after the show.
At present, Dover Mall offers quick-service dining but no traditional sit-down restaurants with table service. Residents already are imagining what might come next. On the Delaware Social Facebook page, several commenters said they'd like to see The Cheesecake Factory join the mall's tenant mix, while others argued that entertainment is the key to the mall's future.
"Some type of recreational fun center like Main Event or Lefty's," one commenter wrote. "I just moved down to Dover and hate the fact that if I want to do anything with my family I have to drive back up to Middletown or Newark."
Others suggested recruiting Primark, the Ireland-based retailer known for fashion-forward clothing, home goods and beauty products at value prices. Currently, the closest Primark is in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Another commenter championed a full-service grocery store, writing, "PLEASE BRING A SHOPRITE DOWN DOVER!!!"
Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) invites Delaware residents to participate in its Fall 2026 Citizens Academy program, which begins on September 21 in Dover. The DOC Citizens Academy is a free six-week program that gives community members first-hand insight into how the Departments works to meet the treatment, training, and supervision needs of justice-involved individuals through its dual mission of public safety and rehabilitation. Weekly Citizens Academy sessions feature interactive presentatio...
Dover, DE – The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) invites Delaware residents to participate in its Fall 2026 Citizens Academy program, which begins on September 21 in Dover. The DOC Citizens Academy is a free six-week program that gives community members first-hand insight into how the Departments works to meet the treatment, training, and supervision needs of justice-involved individuals through its dual mission of public safety and rehabilitation. Weekly Citizens Academy sessions feature interactive presentations, facility tours, discussions with Department leaders and treatment and program providers, and the opportunity to engage with incarcerated individuals and reentrants.
Fall 2026 DOC Citizens Academy sessions will take place in the Dover area over six consecutive Monday evenings from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. beginning September 21. Informational “classroom” sessions will be held at the Delaware DOC Administration Building in Dover and facility walking tours will take place at the Dover Probation and Parole regional office, James T. Vaughn Correctional Center, and Community Corrections Treatment Center.
“The DOC Citizens Academy provides residents with a unique opportunity to see for themselves how Delaware’s correctional system works and get to know the dedicated professionals who work every day to support public safety and rehabilitation” Commissioner Terra Taylor said. “Our Citizens Academy participants go behind the scenes to learn about treatment and rehabilitation programs, education and workforce training, reentry support, community supervision, and much more. Apply today and join us this Fall!”
The DOC is seeking applications from individuals age 18 and over and no corrections or law enforcement experience is necessary. Previous Citizens Academy participants have included small business owners, employees and volunteers from public and non-profit organizations, college students, healthcare professionals, teachers, advocates, and retirees.
Interested participants must complete a short online application that is posted HERE or can complete and return the attached PDF application to [email protected] by Monday, August 31. Applications will be reviewed as received on a rolling basis until the Citizens Academy class is filled. Class size is limited.
Since it was established in 2021, the DOC Citizens Academy has sought to support public engagement with the DOC through information-sharing and dialogue and to build partnerships with local residents and community-serving organizations. Academy sessions focus on a wide variety of topics, including officer and staff training, facility operations, community supervision methods, healthcare and substance abuse treatment, vocational training and education and the DOC’s central role in Delaware’s comprehensive reentry system. Participants gain a deeper understanding of how the DOC identifies – and addresses – individuals’ needs and risks in order to support their reentry success and reduce Delaware’s recidivism rate.
Members of the media are encouraged to attend and participate in Citizens Academy sessions.
Statewide, more than 4,000 individuals are currently incarcerated in Department of Correction facilities and approximately 10,000 individuals are currently being supervised by the DOC on probation or court-ordered pretrial supervision.
For more information and questions please email [email protected].
What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.Baila Con Dover is returning later this month, once again bringing thousands of people to Legislative Hall in Dover for a day of live music, cultural performances, food and family activities that organizers hope will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations across Delaware.The festival is organized by HOLA, the Hispanic Organization of Latin Americans, a Dover-based nonprofit founded to connect and sup...
What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.
Baila Con Dover is returning later this month, once again bringing thousands of people to Legislative Hall in Dover for a day of live music, cultural performances, food and family activities that organizers hope will kick off Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations across Delaware.
The festival is organized by HOLA, the Hispanic Organization of Latin Americans, a Dover-based nonprofit founded to connect and support Latino communities in Kent County.
For HOLA founder Anthony Velazquez, the organization began years before it became an official nonprofit. While serving in the military at Dover Air Force Base, he noticed there were few opportunities for Latino service members and their families to celebrate their respective cultures or connect with one another.
So he decided to organize small cultural events on base himself, bringing together music, food and traditions from across Latin America to create what he called “a little piece of home.”
“There wasn’t a whole lot on base that had other events and other stuff, but nothing for Latinos,” Velazquez said. “And the same thing I saw off base. All the resources were more north Wilmington and south Georgetown.”
After retiring from the Air Force, Velazquez brought that same initiative into the broader Dover community. HOLA officially became a Delaware nonprofit in 2022, with the goal of serving Latino families in his local community while helping bridge what he describes as a long-overlooked gap between Wilmington and Sussex counties.
“I’m trying to bridge the gap between the north and the south,” he said. “It feels like the center of Delaware has been forgotten, especially for the Latino community. Now it’s growing.”
Baila Con Dover became HOLA’s first signature event in 2023, drawing roughly 1,500 attendees during its inaugural festival. Attendance grew to about 2,000 the following year. This year’s festival comes after Velazquez said organizers saw attendance level off amid heightened immigration enforcement and concerns within the Latino community.
Still, he said the festival continues to grow each year by adding new attractions.
This year’s celebration begins in the morning with Zumba and a vendor marketplace, before transitioning into cultural performances from 1 to 4 p.m. The afternoon will also feature a car show, while the evening will shift to a concert, featuring groups performing bomba and plena, salsa and merengue, with local and Puerto Rican artists.
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The festival has expanded well beyond its original format. Since its first year, organizers have added a children’s zone, the car show, a domino tournament and more family-friendly activities throughout the day.
Visitors can also sample food representing countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rican, Mexican, Colombian, Dominican and Venezuelan cuisines, along with desserts, shaved ice, soul food and other festival favorites.
“We have Gustito Boricua, Puerto Rican food,” Velazquez said. “We have Tu Sabor Latino, which is a mix of a variety of Mexican food. We have people coming from New York, with Colombian food. We’ll have Dominican food with La Casita restaurant out of Milford. We also have soul food. We have another person that’s going to bring hot dogs and hamburgers and funnel cake.”
For Velazquez, however, the festival is about far more than entertainment.
“La celebración se trata de unir a la comunidad a través de la celebración. Que todo el mundo venga y participe y que se junte como en familia y que celebre la vida y que celebre la unión de de este pueblo y del estado y darnos a representar y enseñarle al mundo quiénes somos”, él dijo. “Nosotros somos personas humildes, trabajadoras y que nos gusta celebrar como cualquier otra persona en el mundo.”
“The celebration is about uniting the community through celebration. We want everyone to come and participate, to come together like family, to celebrate life, and to celebrate the unity of this town and state. We want to represent ourselves and show the world who we are,” he said. “We are humble, hardworking people who like to celebrate, just like everyone else in the world.”
Baila Con Dover will take place Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Legislative Hall in Dover. Admission is free, and organizers encourage people of all backgrounds to attend and experience the music, food and cultures that make up Delaware’s Latino community.
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