New World

Philadelphia’s eclectic World Café Live is expanding to Wilmington, Del., and will be located at the town’s Queen Theater – itself being revived by a two-year public/private collaboration that has already raised $21 million to begin the restoration.

Eventually, it’s hoped the project is a catalyst for a $250 million revival of the city’s Market Street corridor.

A public/private group put together the $21 million in funding to restore and reopen the Queen Theatre as the cornerstone of the larger redevelopment project in downtown Wilmington.

WCL Wilmington at the Queen is expected to open in 2011, featuring the same “clubhouse” environment as the original dining and entertainment hub in Philly.

WCL venues in additional cities are in the works.