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Downtown In the News

The latest news about our downtown.

2026

Editorial: Shedding light on local history
Jan 11, 2026 | The Times Leader

2025

2025 IN REVIEW: Many businesses open, some close in Wilkes-Barre
Dec 28, 2025 | The Times Leader
Wilkes-Barre events, shows attracted more than 150,000 visitors in 2025
Dec 26, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Newsmakers: Diamond City Partnership
Dec 14, 2025 | WBRE-TV
Crowds fill Downtown Wilkes-Barre for Small Business Saturday
Nov 29, 2025 | WBRE-TV
New store in Downtown Wilkes-Barre offers festive holiday home goods
Nov 15, 2025 | WOLF-56 TV
Amazon Web Services opens offices in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Nov 12, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
PennDOT plans major rehab of Market Street Bridge, seeks public input
Nov 1, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
History rescued: South Franklin Street property owners celebrated by Wilkes-Barré Preservation Society
Oct 30, 2025 | The Times Leader
Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association holds annual meeting, provides positive outlook
Oct 18, 2025 | The Times Leader
Kirby Center ‘killing it’ with sold-out shows, popular with promoters
Oct 17, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Wilkes-Barre welcoming foodies with flourish of new restaurants
Oct 4, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Former hotel lot in Wilkes-Barre on market at double the last sale price
Sep 5, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Downtown businesses in Wilkes-Barre thrive with student return
Aug 28, 2025 | WOLF-56 TV
Historic Downtown Wilkes-Barre bank building up for sale again
Aug 26, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Editorial: Check out Local Events
Aug 24, 2025 | The Times Leader
Adelina’s to open second location in Genetti’s in downtown Wilkes-Barre
Aug 7, 2025 | The Times Leader
What will become of the Hotel Sterling site?
Jun 4, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
John Oates to headline Wilkes-Barre’s annual free concert on Public Square
May 26, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Hotel Sterling site developer shifts multimillion-dollar project to Public Square building
May 15, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Picture This: SOMA Night Lights
Apr 28, 2025 | Discover NEPA
INNOVATION: Newman says Post-COVID, Downtown Wilkes-Barre is coming back strong
Apr 27, 2025 | The Times Leader
Lighting up South Main Street
Apr 26, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
SOMA Night Lights dazzle downtown Wilkes-Barre with 3D art projections
Apr 26, 2025 | WOLF-56 TV
Diamond City Partnership, Sordoni Art Gallery announce SOMA Night Lights Event on April 25
Apr 4, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Housing shortage hits northeastern Pennsylvania
Mar 18, 2025 | WBRE-TV
Community gets update on hotel project at former Sterling site
Mar 11, 2025 | The Times Leader
Plays, a parade, and plenty of art — all in Downtown W-B
Feb 19, 2025 | The Times Leader
Ramen restaurant planned for Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Feb 18, 2025 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
DCP’s Ambassador Team preserves beauty of Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Feb 2, 2025 | The Times Leader

2024

New hotel project at former Hotel Sterling site in Wilkes-Barre advancing
Dec 13, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Vendor market benefits local businesses in Luzerne County
Nov 30, 2024 | WBRE-TV
Holiday shopping in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Nov 30, 2024 | WNEP-TV
Diamond City Partnership brings annual Holiday Market to The Bank building
Nov 30, 2024 | The Times Leader
‘Helping each other out’: Local entrepreneurs, shoppers to celebrate Small Business Saturday
Nov 29, 2024 | The Times Leader
Downtown Wilkes-Barre business district meter fees suspended for holidays
Nov 24, 2024 | The Times Leader
Beautification with a purpose
Nov 13, 2024 | WVIA News
Students join forces with Diamond City Partnership for tree planting project
Nov 12, 2024 | WNEP-TV
Downtown Wilkes-Barre upscale housing project moving forward
Nov 8, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Friendly neighbors building communities
Nov 7, 2024 | PPL Electric Utilities
SOMA Arts District could bring major boons to WB
Oct 19, 2024 | The Times Leader
Fine Taste Fine Art will take place in heart of Wilkes-Barre’s SOMA Arts District
Oct 16, 2024 | The Times Leader
Main Street Matters program aims to create thriving cities, towns
Sep 8, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
DCED chief heralds $36M of Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits in Wilkes-Barre visit
Sep 6, 2024 | WVIA News
DCED Secretary touts $36 million in tax credits during Wilkes-Barre visit
Sep 6, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Neighborhood Assistance Program funding doubled
Sep 6, 2024 | The Times Leader
Everything you need to know about Friday's free Starship concert
Aug 14, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
SOMA Arts District in Wilkes-Barre becoming a destination
Aug 4, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Wilkes-Barre unveils benches, trash receptacles painted by W-B Area art students
Jul 24, 2024 | The Times Leader
Diamond City Partnership, City of Wilkes-Barre receive state award
Jul 21, 2024 | The Times Leader
Newest shop in downtown Wilkes-Barre offers upcycled decor and more
Jul 16, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Wavy Daisy holds official ribbon-cutting ceremony in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Jul 12, 2024 | The Times Leader
See inside: Luzerne County Historical Society hosts walking tour on Wilkes University’s campus
Jul 2, 2024 | WVIA News
Burnt Norton opens in downtown Wilkes-Barre featuring wood-fired pizza and other delights
Jun 29, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Snapshots from the Kirby: Downtown venues unite to present Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz
May 12, 2024 | The Times Leader
Wilkes-Barre hosts downtown arts block party
May 12, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Developing plans: Potential $12M project moving forward in downtown Wilkes-Barre
May 6, 2024 | The Times Leader
Jazz Festival continues in downtown Wilkes-Barre
May 5, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Cavalcade of Jazz kicks off with opening ceremony
May 3, 2024 | The Times Leader
New developer, new plans for former hotel project in Wilkes-Barre
May 3, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Downtown Wilkes-Barre in the process of a ‘significant transformation’
May 2, 2024 | The Times Leader
Summer in the City
May 1, 2024 | The Times Leader
Plant shop takes root: two friends open Evergreen in Downtown
Mar 17, 2024 | The Times Leader
Multiple-day jazz festival, the “Wilkes-Barre Cavalcade of Jazz,” coming to downtown Wilkes-Barre May 3rd-5th
Feb 24, 2024 | WBRE-TV
New Indian restaurant opens in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Jan 29, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Officials: Downtown Wilkes-Barre needs more hotels
Jan 25, 2024 | The Times Leader
Luzerne County Council approves funding for Sterling site project
Jan 24, 2024 | WBRE-TV
Marquis Art & Frame Celebrates 50 Years
Jan 7, 2024 | The Times Leader
Vintage Clothing Store Opens in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Jan 7, 2024 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)

2023

Wilkes-Barre Revitalization Efforts Continue; Apartment Building Constructed
Dec 5, 2023 | FOX-56 News
Officials tour progress of renovated Wilkes-Barre building, all apartments already leased
Dec 5, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
DCED Deputy Secretary tours downtown WB development
Dec 5, 2023 | The Times Leader
Diamond City Partnership Holiday Market spotlights local businesses
Nov 26, 2023 | The Times Leader
Small Business Saturday in Wilkes-Barre
Nov 25, 2023 | WNEP-TV
It's Christmastime in the city
Nov 19, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Three Historic Homes in Wilkes-Barre Celebrated for Preservation Efforts
Oct 28, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Bazaar of the Bizarre brings supernatural sales to downtown Wilkes-Barre
Oct 23, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Fidelity Bank debuts new Wilkes-Barre location
Oct 20, 2023 | The Times Leader
Upward Trend Sets Up Downtown Wilkes-Barre to Rebound
Oct 3, 2023 | FOX-56 News
Downtown on the rebound: Workers’ return a positive sign
Oct 1, 2023 | The Times Leader
Our View: Downtown progress leaves plenty to be optimistic about
Sep 17, 2023 | The Times Leader
Entrepreneurs share their stories
Sep 15, 2023 | The Times Leader
Transformation begins in downtown Wilkes-Barre after the pandemic
Sep 9, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Newman offers positive outlook on health of downtown Wilkes-Barre
Sep 9, 2023 | The Times Leader
Some Highmark employees will return to the office next month
Aug 30, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
PHOTOS: Kids Fest brings fun to Midtown Village
Aug 28, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Kids’ Fest draws crowd to Downtown WB
Aug 28, 2023 | The Times Leader
Crowds grew for ‘The Guess Who’ in Luzerne County
Aug 21, 2023 | WBRE-TV
The Guess Who concert draws massive crowds to Public Square
Aug 20, 2023 | The Times Leader
Chase Bank growing amid banking turmoil, opens NEPA branches
Aug 6, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Wilkes-Barre residents step out for summer-long 'Y Walk Wednesdays' event
Aug 3, 2023 | FOX-56 News
Vine Street headlines July Sunsets on SOMA
Jul 21, 2023 | The Times Leader
Early learning center coming to former furniture store in downtown Wilkes-Barre; Wilkes University selling building
Jul 20, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce purchases new home
Jul 20, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
D&D Realty buys S. Main St. building from Wilkes U.
Jul 20, 2023 | The Times Leader
Rockin’ the River Concert Series ‘brings people together’
Jul 15, 2023 | The Times Leader
Grant program helps revitalize Wilkes-Barre businesses
Jul 10, 2023 | WBRE-TV
With new leadership and the end of COVID, Kirby Center to launch new season on Monday
Jun 24, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Downtown W-B Business Association hears about new DCP website; book sale
Jun 2, 2023 | The Times Leader
Three-day jazz festival planned for Wilkes-Barre in 2024
May 27, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
New home for men's shelter approved in Wilkes-Barre
May 24, 2023 | WVIA News
Feeling fine and confident after fiesta in Wilkes-Barre
May 22, 2023 | WNEP-TV
Spin Doctors draw near-record crowd to Fine Arts Fiesta
May 20, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Spin Doctors pack Public Square
May 20, 2023 | The Times Leader
Your Thursday night plans in Downtown Wilkes-Barre: Sunsets on SOMA
May 16, 2023 | WBRE-TV
Brown, Newman: City post-pandemic recovery gaining speed in 2023
May 7, 2023 | The Times Leader
New owners of downtown Wilkes-Barre bank building have high hopes of success
May 7, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
DCED official’s tour highlights success of Downtown WB small businesses
May 3, 2023 | The Times Leader
Celebrating small business week with a walking tour of Downtown Wilkes-Barre
May 2, 2023 | Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice (subscription)
Pet waste stations installed in Downtown Wilkes-Barre
Apr 11, 2023 | WBRE-TV
Downtown Wilkes-Barre adjusts to the rise in remote and hybrid work
Mar 25, 2023 | The Citizens Voice (subscription)
Last phase of Downtown Wilkes-Barre streetscape project begins
Mar 24, 2023 | Wilkes-Barre Citizens Voice (subscription)
People flood the streets of Wilkes-Barre for St. Patrick's Parade
Mar 12, 2023 | WNEP-TV