Wilmington has renamed a busy street corner in honor of East Side business owners Bennie and Esther H. Broomer.
The husband and wife team have operated Bennie’s Big Scoop at 800 North Church Street for nearly four decades. The business opened in 1980 as a seasonal operation offering ice cream, candy, soda and video games and grew into a year-round convenience store with groceries and hot food, including soul food platters and homemade desserts courtesy of Esther Broomer.
Mayor Mike Purzycki signed the executive order declaring the corner of 8th and Church streets as “Bennie & Esther H. Broomer Way.”
“Bennie’s Big Scoop remains a City institution whose patrons span several generations,” Purzycki said. “It is fitting that we honor their contributions to the quality of life of this community with this street naming designation.”
Fourth District City Council Member Michelle Harlee also paid her respect not only for the longevity of the business but the Broomer’s relationship as well.
“I am very happy to join with the Mayor to recognize these wonderful people for not only what they and their business mean to our East Side communities, but what they symbolize together as a couple,” Harlee said. “Owning a business and maintaining a loving relationship requires a lot of work, and they have done both extremely well.”
