Christina Jedra

The News Journal

Signs posted during construction estimated a Summer 2016 opening. Starbucks on Market opened Oct. 6.

Wilmington business leaders hope a new Starbucks on Market Street can help downtown become more vibrant.

The coffee chain opened a third Wilmington location on Thursday at 629 Market St. Wilmington opened its first two Starbucks shops in 2014 at the Riverfront on Justison Street and in the Nemours Building on North Orange Street.

"As we go forth, we need to look at a new kind of downtown district," said Will Minster, director of business development for Downtown Visions. "Not just shopping."

Downtown Visions, a nonprofit that manages the business district, set a goal in 2006 to bring in 10,000 people between downtown and the Riverfront. Starbucks can help with that goal, Minster said. He hopes a grocery store is not too far away.

Starbucks joins other caffeine providers on Market Street: LOMA Coffee on the 200 block of Market and Brew Haha on the 800 block.

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Carrie Gray, managing director of the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation, doesn't believe the competition needs to worry.

"Coffee people are loyalists," she said. "It creates another reason for people to come to Market Street."

Gray said it's essential for the city to have a lively downtown.

'If the core of Wilmington is not strong and can attract residents and businesses to it, then we can’t do much else," she said. "That's the economic engine for our city."

Mark Kleinschmidt, president of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce, said the opening is a compliment to Wilmington because Starbucks is "particular" about where they open.

"They have a strict formula," he said. "They don't open stores that are not going to be successful."

Kleinschmidt said he expects the foot traffic to Starbucks to boost those surrounding it.

"Business begets business," he said.

Starbucks did not respond to requests for comment.

Contact Christina Jedra at cjedra@delawareonline.com, (302) 324-2837 or on Twitter @ChristinaJedra.