Bardea expands with Stitch House spot

Stitch House Brewery closed at the end of August, with the Bardea ownership taking over the lease with plans for a gastropub in the future. | DBT PHOTO BY KATIE TABELING

WILMINGTON — The Bardea team is continuing its expansion around Wilmington’s Market Street, this time taking over the lease for Stitch House Brewery, which has been a part of the city’s nightlife since 2018.

Stitch House Brewery on 829 N Market St. closed at the end of August, and owners Daniel Sheridan and Robert Snowberger had sold the brewery to Bardea restaurant group owners Scott Stein, Pino DiMeo and Chef Antimo DiMeo.

The 7,000 square-foot brewery’s lease was taken over by Bardea, and plans are underway for a venue that serves as a neighborhood pub, although the concept and the menu have yet to be finalized at this time.

“It’s always been a dream of ours to open something with a casual neighborhood energy with a super approachable menu — a place where guests want to spend a few nights a week,” Stein, and the DiMeos said in a prepared statement. “Stitch House has that energy and we’re excited that Daniel Sheridan and Robert Snowberger are passing the torch to us.”

Bardea had been on the rise in Wilmington when the group first opened its 120-seat restaurant on Market Street. That first restaurant is named Bardea after the goddess of food and drink. Since then, the restaurant group has added Bardea Steak, the outdoor dining venue Garden at Bardea and two venues at DE.CO food hall.

Earlier this year, Bardea announced it would be revamping its Bardea pizza stand at DE.CO food hall for Italian trattoria that can seat up to 70 people. That concept, made in partnership with the Buccini/Pollin Group which owns and manages DE.CO, is aimed to reach clients that seek a casual atmosphere and good Italian food, notably with families that come to the Brandywine region for youth sports events and games and are seeking a bite to eat.

Unlike that concept, the DiMeos and Stein said that they plan to keep a similar, friendly atmosphere to the gastropub. The Bardea group also plans to retain long-time staff members, many of whom have worked there since the Stitch House Brewery opened in 2018, with some stepping into leadership roles.

“We feel lucky we can continue to do this work in Wilmington. Stay tuned for more, the DiMeos and Stein said.