Building code violations included "structural deterioration, roof leaks, mold, [problems with] electrical, plumbing and mechanical equipment and problems with the exterior finishes, such as deteriorating trim work, damaged or missing siding, broken windows and peeling paint," city building official Josh Littleton wrote in the notice of condemnation.

The shopping center, which is owned by the Cordish Companies in Baltimore, has 32 units. The other 16 units that were condemned in 2010 are still awaiting a fix up. Cordish is not working on any of them, Littleton said. 

One of the condemned buildings, the [stand-alone] structure that used to house the Thriftway grocery store, was slapped with a demolition order in December 2010. More than four years after that order was issued, "there is no timetable for demolition," Littleton said.

Lauren Mills is the Media and Marketing specialist for Body and Soul. She said that she hopes that the new gym "plants the seed" to get other people interested in establishing businesses in the shopping center. 

"With so many people living on the west side of Seaford, without a grocery store or many other stores, this is a great opportunity," Mills said.

Mills said that business at Body and Soul has been good so far. "There were a lot of people excited about our opening," she said. "And we've had great initial membership signups."

Carannante hopes that the new gym will bring more people to the shopping center. Already, he said, his restaurant has seen a slight increase in business. "We are always hoping for better," he added.

Mills dismisses the idea that, with two apartment complexes nearby, safety in the Body and Soul parking lot could be a problem. 

"That is not an issue whatsoever," she said. "That's never been an issue for Sal's and we haven't had even the slightest hint of that."

The Nylon Capital Shopping Center's four [buildings] total more than 241,000 square feet. It is one of 18 shopping centers owned by the Cordish Companies.

Cordish also owns 13 shopping centers in Maryland, including Ocean Landing in Ocean City, two in Virginia and two additional centers in Delaware, Milford Landing in Milford and the Rehoboth Mall near Rehoboth Beach. In addition, it has developed shopping and entertainment centers throughout the country, in Atlantic City, St. Louis, Houston, San Francisco, Philadelphia and Sacramento.

Mills praised Cordish for its cooperation in getting Body and Soul up and running.

The Baltimore company renovated the two units so that they were habitable, she said. It also repaved and striped the parking lot, put in landscaping and installed new security lights. Body and Soul designed and finished the inside of the buildings.

"These units have been empty for so long," she said. "They were very excited to have some [interest] expressed in moving in, and were very responsive to us."

On its website, Cordish advertises the Nylon Capital Shopping Center as an "attractive mix of products, services and dining." The center is "conveniently located at the intersection of Route 20 and Route 30 in the heart of Seaford's largest neighborhood," it adds.

By Lynn Parks

Western [Sussex] County is a viable place for new and expanding business. And with the new Downtown Development District designation, Downtown Seaford offers even more incentives to come to Western Sussex County!

Co-owners Rob and Susan Rider will commemorate the event with a ribbon cutting at 12:15 p.m. The celebration will include honorable guests, refreshments, gym tours and mini group fitness classes.

Body & Soul features Life Fitness cardio equipment with LFConnect, an app to track workouts and log them digitally, and Star Trac strength training equipment. Their own Training Zone houses the Alloy Training platform and the newest boxing platform on the market, BoxMaster.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Co-Owners, Rob and Susan Rider, will commemorate the event with a ribbon cutting at 12:15 p.m. The celebration will include honorable guests, refreshments, gym tours and mini group fitness classes. Additionally, Body & Soul will be raffling off a 30-day Personal Training Experience; a trial package worth $148.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information, visit www.bodyandsouldelware.com.

Body & Soul will bring a fresh perspective to physical fitness which will include Alloy, a premiere personal training program where strength and motion meet. Several options for personal training to meet every goal, budget, and fitness level will be available.

Cathy Bryan [Director of Training] of Body & Soul, has an extensive background in a research based community outreach program offering safe and effective strength training to breast cancer survivors.

For more information about Body & Soul Fitnes and Spa, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.or visit www.bodyandsouldelaware.com. 

The kid’s, 8 years and under, race began at 8:50 a.m. followed by the 9 a.m. 5K run/walk with participants gathering at the starting line. Participants looped twice around the Hooper’s Landing Golf Course, finishing the race at the West Seaford Elementary School where awards were distributed to top male and female runners and walkers across several age groups.

“Even before open our doors, we want to communicate that we are planning to foster a strong sense of community, both, inside and outside of our facility,” Susan Rider, Co-Owner and Business Manager said. “The 5K is a reminder to the community that our facility is coming soon and just as the 5K encourages all level of fitness, from mommies pushing strollers to avid walkers and runners, Body & Soul will offer programs for every level of personal fitness and wellness goals.”

One-hundred percent of the event’s proceeds were contributed to the Bosom Buddy Fund. The Body & Soul Fitness and Spa team will present a check for $2800.00 to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s representative Cheryl Doucette, who is the Education and Outreach Program Director for Kent and Sussex County.

Body & Soul would like to thank all of the sponsors and participants that supported their first 5K event and thank the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition for their efforts to educate and bring resources and services to women in our community. Event Management, Timing & Results Provided by TriSports Events Management and their great volunteers.

For more information about Body & Soul Fitness and Spa, visit their website at www.bodyandsouldelaware.com or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/bodyandsouldelaware. For more information about the services that the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition provides, visit their website at www.debreastcancer.org.