WILMINGTON — The Wilmington Fire Department is on the scene in downtown Wilmington due to the façade of a building collapsing.
According to WFD, one person has minor injuries and is being treated.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of destruction, which occurred around 7:45 p.m. It has affected a row of businesses along Grace Street, including Rumcow, Tacobaby, and Kat 5 Kava. Crews are working to stabilize the structure.
Tacobaby’s mural on the brick façade appears to have fallen.
Restaurant owner Joe Apkarian received a $2,500 grant a few years ago from Wilmington Downtown Inc. as part of its Facade Improvement Grant Program to install the mural. FIG distributes funds to local businesses in the MSD for storefront improvements. A press release at the time said the business application listed money received would be used for upgrades, repairs and the artwork; the mural was created by Nathan Verwey.
Now the pop-art rendering is dispersed along the sidewalk into piles of bricks, having shattered the restaurant’s windows. Rubble hit two vehicles in the vicinity and destroyed awnings that overhang above the businesses.
The area is currently barricaded from passersby. Tacobaby has announced it’s closed until further notice and staff is safe.
PCD reached out to Apkarian but did not hear back by press; this is a developing story.
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