Indian restaurant is the latest addition to Wilmington’s LOMA district

Lamb kabobs, curried spinach, tandoori chicken – just some of the new tastes now available at Zaikka Indian Grill on Market Street.

City leaders gathered outside the store for the official ribbon cutting ceremony, before heading inside to enjoy the offerings of the new store owned by former Maryland residents Sandeep and Anu Nagpal.  “We’re really excited to be here in Wilmington,” said Anu.  “We really like the feel of the downtown area, especially the LOMA district.”

The LOMA district, which stands for Lower Market, is being cultivated by the city and by its residents as a creative district.  The area was formerly known as Ships Tavern.

Wilmington Mayor James Baker welcomed the new business owners and says Wilmington is in the process of becoming a new city.  “We’ve gone through bad times, and yet people keep investing in our city, which means new activity and new jobs.” 

The store got help from Downtown Visions’ Main Street Program, which awarded Zaikka a $4,200 facade improvement grant to put up the restaurant’s distinctive red and yellow front and rear signage.  The facade program is funded in part by ING Direct and Bank of America.  The goal of the program is to enhance the visual appeal of downtown stores and improve access for pedestrians.  Click here for more on the facade program.

Main Street Wilmington’s Will Minster says the LOMA district is really a community of neighbors.  “That’s something that really had been somewhat lacking in Wilmington.  This energy down here is something you can really build upon.”