The Mercury Tea House - How Dwayne Foster Built Old New Castle’s Third Space

In this episode of That Delaware Podcast, we sit down with one of Amber’s favorite people, Dwayne Foster, the owner of The Mercury Tea House and Cafe in Old New Castle. If you have ever walked into The Mercury and instantly felt like you belonged there, this conversation explains why.

Dwayne shares the full story of how he and his husband went from Portland, Oregon to Old New Castle, spotted a building for sale, and took a leap that turned into one of Delaware’s most loved local spots. We talk about what it takes to open a business during COVID, how The Mercury became a true third space for the community, and why the vibe feels so personal the moment you walk through the door.

We also get into everything Dwayne has built beyond the cafe, including the new event space, the Old Town Hall theater, local movie nights, comedy shows, and the unique way Old New Castle is quietly evolving into a place people fall in love with.

In this episode

• How Dwayne and Aaron discovered Old New Castle and found the Mercury building

• The leap from Portland to Delaware and opening during the uncertainty of COVID

• Why The Mercury started as a bar dream and evolved into a cafe and restaurant

• Creating a true third space where people feel happy, safe, and connected

• The Mercury vibe, the community feeling, and why it feels like Cheers

• Expanding into a new event space with a commercial kitchen and patio access

• Karaoke nights, local partnerships, and the creative energy of Old New Castle

• The Mercury B and Bs including the one bedroom stay and the waterfront house

• Old Town Hall and the theater space with comedy, music, and live events

• Movie nights, horror nights, and how to keep up with what is happening there

• Flower workshops, lunch pairings, and the value of built in community experiences

• Pop up chef dinners, wine pairings, and how ticketed events work

• What it is like living above the Mercury and running a business with your partner

• Dwayne’s favorite menu picks including the Brew Burger and the Lala

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