Well, the novelty of lunches downtown wears off quickly when almost everything costs $8 and up. Why do you think the Subway is so busy? Less expensive lunches... The many first nails in the coffin for downtown started with the closing of The Ice House, and the construction of condos that blocked the river view. The "new, enlightened" philosophies about downtown revitalization (revitalize from what?) caused these things to happen. Let's not leave out parking meters... I used to go downtown at least once a week for sunset, pick up something to eat for dinner--you know, actually spending money downtown. But now I rarely go downtown voluntarily... and with all the tall buildings going up (for a riverfront, 4 stories is too tall), I fail to see the draw for tourists. Add parking tickets, and I'd not be surprised if tourism slows. But then, that seems to be the desired effect? Whatever personality used to exist not only for Wilmington as a whole, but also the downtown area is being eroded in the name of progress...