IN THE C-SUITE: M. Davis & Sons CEO Peggy Del Fabbro 30 November 24, 2020 | Vol. 7 • No. 24 | $2.00 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com FOBA WINNERS: 2020 Family business awards announced 3 TURNING DIRT: New Smyrna business park breaks ground 9 Biden Time TEE TIME: PGA Tour comes to President-elect’s win leads to brighter Delaware spotlight | 10-13 Wilmington in 2022 6 Increased restrictions amid COVID surge lead to outcry 4 Delaware is where business gets personal Centrally located along the I-95 corridor, with easy access to major airports and commuter rail, our prime location means you get face-to-face business done faster. Have a breakfast meeting in New York and a luncheon in D.C. and still make it home in time for dinner. But it’s not just where you have access. It’s who you have access to. We’re home to a diverse and top-level talent pool from around the world. If you’re looking to connect with influencers and business-friendly elected officials, you can do it in Delaware. But at what cost? Cheaper, actually. Combine our competitive labor costs with no sales or inventory tax, and you’ve got the second-lowest cost of doing business in the U.S., according to Forbes. Competitive costs. The access you need. That’s what you can expect from a state our size. ChooseDelaware.com 2 November 24, 2020 | DelawareBusinessTimes.com EDiS named 2020 family-owned Founded 2014, a biweekly newspaper serving Delaware’s business community. Legacy Award winner by DBT Vol. 7, No. 24 dated November 24, 2020 Copyright © 2020 by Today Media, all rights reserved. This newspaper or its trademarks may not be reproduced in whole or in part in BY JACOB OWENS any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or WILMINGTON – The fifth-generation hereafter invent without written permission from the Publisher. For licensing, construction management firm EDiS Company was reprints, e-prints, plaques, e-mail [email protected]. named the 2020 Legacy Award winner at the Delaware Business Times’ annual Family-Owned Business Group Publisher Robert F. Martinelli Awards banquet on Nov. 11. Publisher Michael Reath The Legacy Award recognizes a business that [email protected] exemplifies the longevity and innovation of the best of Editor Jacob Owens Delaware’s family-owned businesses. Now led by CEO [email protected] Brian DiSabatino, EDiS has grown over 112 years to Reporter Katie Tabeling becoming a leading firm in Delaware, chosen to work [email protected] on high-profile projects like the University of Delaware’s Research, Digital, and Mike Rocheleau football stadium upgrades, the new fitness center at Brian DiSabatino accepts the Legacy Award at the Family-Owned Engagement Editor [email protected] DuPont Country Club and Delle Donne & Associates’ Business Awards on Nov. 11. | PHOTO BY JENIFER SANTO Vice President of Charlie Tomlinson massive Avenue North mixed-use redevelopment. Business Development [email protected] “It was an honor to be among some of the absolute the extra-large employer category (100+ employees). Digital Sales & Karen Martinelli best family businesses in Delaware and we were The other finalists included the Kenny family Marketing Manager [email protected] inspired by many of their stories,” Brian DiSabatino and Healy, Long and Jevin. Advertising Director Lisa Minto said after receiving the award. “Our entire Schagrin Gas family is very honored [email protected] He recognized fellow finalist Healy, Long and Jevin, and appreciative to have our business legacy and a Wilmington-based concrete contractor, for helping achievements recognized by the DBT Family-Owned Multimedia Account Carol Houseal Executive EDiS founder Ernest DiSabatino get his business Business Awards. We would like to congratulate all started in 1908. who were selected as finalists,” said Andrew Levinson, Marketing & Events Leeanne Rocheleau “What we’ve come to understand is that as family president of Schagrin Gas. Production Manager Donna Hill businesses, we’re not independent. We’re completely In the large employer category (26-99 employees), Art Director Chris Johnson dependent on the kindness of other people,” DiSabatino Millville-based Lord’s Landscaping won after said. “I think my great-grandfather and grandfather really competing against finalists EDiS, Epic Marketing Graphic Designers Eric Bolis Shelby Mills hoped in their heart of hearts that we would continue Consultants Corporation based in Middletown, Rosalinda Rocco the tradition of not just building great buildings but and Linda’s Angels Childcare & Development Center based in New Castle. Director of Digital Strategy Greg Mathias supporting families throughout the community.” Also recognized during the awards banquet was the “We are humbled to say the least, grateful for this path Publisher Emeritus Sam Waltz Kenny Family Shoprite of Delaware, which won the we have been led down and blessed with the people that Today Media, A Martinelli Holdings LLC Community Champion award, which recognizes have chosen to be a part of it. We are one lucky family,” President Robert F. Martinelli those who go above and beyond to serve their wrote Amy Hughes, co-owner of Lord’s Landscaping, Secretary-Treasurer Richard Martinelli communities and support charitable efforts. on the company’s Facebook page after their win. In Memoriam The Kenny grocery store chain, led by CEO Chris The Carl M. Freeman Companies, an Ocean View- Chairman Angelo R. Martinelli (1927 – 2018) Kenny, was recognized for its work through its Kenny based developer, won the medium-sized employer Vice President Ralph A. Martinelli (1962 – 2019) Family Foundation, which has supported more category (10-25 employees). The other finalists included Bridgeville-based creamery The Frozen Advertising Information than 1,000 organizations with micro-grants and [email protected] partnerships, feeding the hungry, caring for the Farmer and Wilmington-based IT firm MySherpa. 302.504.1276 elderly and educating children. “As a family-owned company, this award symbolizes Subscription Information “We are honored and grateful to receive the Delaware our responsibility of carrying the Freeman name and the DelawareBusinessTimes.com/subscribe-now Business Times Community Champion award. Freeman values into the 21st century. I am honored to 800.849.8751 For 25 years, we have chosen to conduct our family work with people that instill these values every day in our To submit press releases or story ideas business with compassion and integrity, from treating business decisions,” said Michelle Freeman, president [email protected] associates and customers as family, to giving back to the and CEO of The Carl M. Freeman Companies. In the small employer category (1-9 employees), Daily Newsletter community through our Kenny Family Foundation,” Sign up for our daily newsletter, delivered to your e-mail Chris Kenny said. “We know our fellow Delawareans Greenville-based boutique Bag & Baggage won after inbox at DelawareBusinessTimes.com/Newsletter have many choices when it comes to meeting their competing against Newark-based Shaping Minds Therapeutic Services and Wilmington-based Events grocery shopping needs, and we’re beyond thankful for The Delaware Business Times hosts a number of events those that continue to choose Kenny Family Stores.” Ad-Craft Signs and Graphics. each year. View the schedule and register for events at In the annual competition of family-owned “We were very honored to even be considered,” DelawareBusinessTimes.com/Events businesses ranked by number of employees, said Jim McKenzie, owner of the 64-year-old Bag Awards Middletown-based Schagrin Gas Company won & Baggage. “We thank all of our customers who are the reason we’re still able to be in business, especially during this really rough time. We hope to continue Most Improved Publication 2020 providing the community with high-quality products Stuff Magazine 2019/2020 – Best Ancillary Publication and services for many more years to come.” Delaware Business Times (USPS 21760, ISSN 2639-8087), Vol. 7, No. 24 dated November 24, 2020 is printed 26 times per year by Today Media, 3301 Lancaster On the Cover Pike Suite 5C, Wilmington DE 19805 and is available by subscription for $39 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Wilmington, DE and additional mailing offi ces. Joe and Jill Biden wave to the Single copy/back issues are available at the cover price of $2 plus $2 shipping crowd at the Chase Center on and handling. Attention Postmaster: Send address changes to Delaware Business the Riverfront after he gave Times, PO Box 460516, Escondido, CA 92046-9808. his acceptance speech for Delaware Business Times cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited material with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-address return envelope. the presidency Nov. 7. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, DBT photo by Joe Del Tufo but the accuracy ad completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. Guests celebrated the 2020 FOBA winners at the Nov. 11 socially No information expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale distanced banquet at The Waterfall in Claymont. | PHOTO BY of any securities. JENIFER SANTO DelawareBusinessTimes.com | November 24, 2020 3 Restaurateurs raise heat over increased restrictions BY KATIE TABELING AND JACOB OWENS action to protect the health of all NEW RESTRICTIONS Delawareans, we believe there is an WILMINGTON – Restaurant unfounded impression that restaurants industry leaders are frustrated that the are part of the problem. As a result, Effective 8 a.m. Nov. 23 indoor capacity limit has been rolled restaurants will severely suffer from these • Public indoor gatherings limited to 30% venue capacity, capped at back to 30% in state officials’ bid to tamp inconsistent and restrictive mandates 50 people. This applies to weddings, funerals, religious services, down on COVID-19 transmission while not applied to other industries,” she said, and events in public spaces.