Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki was joined yesterday by 4th District City Council Member Michelle Harlee and Council President Hanifa Shabazz in recognizing the owners of a long-time Wilmington business by ceremonially renaming a City street corner in their honor.
For nearly four decades, Bennie Broomer and his wife, Esther H. Broomer, have operated Bennie’s Big Scoop at 800 North Church Street. Today, Mayor Purzycki signed an Executive Order declaring the corner of 8th and Church Streets as “Bennie & Esther H. Broomer Way.” Yesterday also happened to be the Broomers’ 47th wedding anniversary.
Restating his words as expressed in the Executive Order, Mayor Purzycki said today that Bennie and Esther Broomer have faithfully served East Side residents and the City of Wilmington for 38 years. “Bennie’s Big Scoop remains a City institution whose patrons span several generations,” said the Mayor. “It is fitting that we honor their contributions to the quality of life of this community with this street naming designation.”
“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 eastside communities, but what they symbolize together as a couple,” said Council Member Harlee. “Owning a business and maintaining a loving relationship requires a lot of work, and they have done both extremely well.”
Bennie Broomer founded Bennie’s Big Scoop on North Church Street in 1980. Originally a seasonal operation offering ice cream, candy, soda and video games, Bennie’s Big Scoop evolved into year-round convenience store that today offers a full-line of groceries. The popular corner store also serves breakfast, lunch, soul food platters and homemade desserts courtesy of Esther “Mrs. Bennie” Broomer.
Source: Mayor’s Office