On Monday, May 1, 2022 Main Street Vermilion introduced the DORA initiative at the Vermilion City Council Meeting. For a printed version of the presentation, click here.

DORA SURVEY RESULTS

Main Street Vermilion conducted an online community survey via Survey Monkey®. More than 1,000 people participated. Click here to view the results.

D.O.R.A. is a program of the Ohio Department of Commerce. For information and a list of participating communities, click here.

Shores & Islands is a generous supporter and financial sponsor of Main Street Vermilion’s DORA initiative.

DORA: Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area

DORA, which is an acronym for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, is an exception to the Ohio Revised Code’s open container law. In a specifically designated area it allows patrons of legal drinking age (21) the privilege to purchase alcoholic beverages from a permitted establishment and carry them within a clearly defined area with the community. (See the proposed DORA boundary map below).

Are DORAs something new?

No. The Ohio DORA program was established in April 2015 by Section 4301.82 of the Ohio Revised Code creating an exemption from the Open Container Law. Under the statute, a person who purchases beer, wine or a drink crafted from distilled spirits from the holder of a permit within a DORA district is permitted to have that beverage in an open container at any outdoor location within the DORA.

What is the benefit of having a DORA in any community?

DORA’s are regarding as providing untapped potential to encourage economic development and exposure for communities and businesses alike.  These outdoor drinking zones are used to draw patrons, revitalize downtown areas, ease outdoor dining restrictions, and increase retail and restaurant development. Participation by local vendors in the DORA is completely voluntary.  Once the DORA is created, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control maintains oversight for specific DORA permits issued to qualifying businesses.

How many Ohio communities have a DORA?

Approximately 70 communities in Ohio are experiencing the benefits of this program. Established DORA programs exist in Akron, Bellefontaine, Bowling Green, Canton, Chillicothe, Columbiana, Defiance, Delaware, Fairborn, Grove City, Hamilton, Hilliard, Kent, Lancaster, Lebanon, Liberty Center, Lorain, Loveland, Louisville, Lyndhurst, Marysville, Mason, Middletown, Milford (Belmont City.), Milford (Clermont City.), Napolean, New Richmond, Oxford, Port Clinton, Powell, Shaker Heights, Springfield, Sylvania, Tiffin, Toledo, Worthington and many more. There are more Ohio communities establishing DORA districts every month. Perhaps you’ve visited some and understand how the program works. If not…

I’ve never experienced a DORA. How does it work?

During designated times people of legal drinking age (21) can purchase a beer, wine or cocktail drink in an official DORA cup from participating DORA establishments and sip and stroll within a clearly defined designated area.

What is the DORA cup?

DORA drinks are required to be provided and consumed in official DORA cups featuring the DORA logo and provided by participating establishments. Consumption of drinks in any other container is strictly prohibited. Patrons purchasing a DORA beverage will pay a $1 fee in addition to the cost of the drink. This fee covers the establishment’s cost to implement the DORA. These cups are for single use only, disposable and compostable.

What do I need to know about sipping and strolling with my drink?

Rules for consumption of a DORA drink are conspicuously posted at participating establishments and are as follows:

• Stay inside the DORA boundaries—look for the signs!

• You must finish your drink before entering another DORA establishment.

• DORA cups are single-use only, non-refillable and disposable. No refill policy strictly enforced.

• Dispose of cups in trash receptacles located throughout downtown.

• Drink responsibly and remember that this program is a privilege and your actions and behavior impact its success and acceptance

Where can I purchase a DORA drink?

DORA drinks will be available from various establishments to be consumed within the DORA boundaries of downtown Vermilion. Participants will be announced in the future.

Can I go into stores and other establishments with my DORA drink?

You will find that there are retail establishments that will welcome you and a DORA drink inside their business. They will have a “DORA Drinks Welcome Here” decal on their door. Participating retail establishments will be announced in the future.

What about taking my drink into restaurants that don’t serve alcohol?

You will find some restaurants that do not serve alcohol will welcome you and a DORA drink into their restaurant or patios to enjoy their menu. Look for the “DORA Drinks Welcome Here” decal on their door. This is a feature for restaurants that have outdoor patio seating. Participants will be announced in the future.

How do I know what the DORA boundaries are?

The boundaries of a DORA district will be clearly posted with signage along intersections of the DORA boundaries in downtown Vermilion. DORA drinks are permitted only within the DORA boundaries and no outside alcohol is permitted. This will be strictly enforced. Refer to the image below to understand the proposed boundaries.

That’s how DORA works, but here are more Q & As about the program

Q: Can you give me more examples about the benefits of a DORA?

• Increases visitors to bars and restaurants: They will be able to turn over more guests by allowing for quick, to-go service of DORA drinks. Bars and restaurants will also be able to increase sales of adult beverages by providing DORA drinks to-go as visitors desire to walk around downtown and continue their stay in Vermilion.

• Allows for social distancing: Additionally, if restaurants are full, creating a DORA would generate revenue for these establishments without having to seat diners. Customers would appreciate the opportunity to order food and drink to go when they can’t be seated at their favorite eatery.

• Lengthens time visitors spend downtown: A DORA would enhance the atmosphere downtown by allowing drinks to be enjoyed, thus enabling visitors to stay longer and spend more money. Visitor retention is key to increasing revenue.

• Creates an enhanced, unique experience in Vermilion: DORA would enhance the visitor experience, serving as a selling point for increased tourism, and by providing a tool for economic development when leveraged to encourage additional small businesses to open downtown. Additionally, downtown events would be enhanced by an increase in foot traffic for downtown retailers and participants to support local bars and restaurants without the commitment of a sit-down meal.

• Increases retail sales: Creating more opportunities for foot traffic downtown is key to supporting downtown retailers. During the Main Street Vermilion’s Ice A Fair most of the bars and restaurants are full. Activating a DORA would create more opportunities for visitors to support downtown bars, restaurants and retailers when they visit downtown but not inconvenienced by not getting a seat at the restaurant.

Q: I'm supportive of small businesses and of downtown but I'm concerned about the "what ifs" of a DORA, with folks carrying open containers of alcohol. Should I be worried?

With a DORA, downtown bars + restaurants are held to the same guidelines they always are to ensure the safety of their guests including checking IDs and not over-serve alcohol to patrons. Our local Police Department will continue to excel in ensuring safety for our town. The details of the DORA are highly customizable and if for any reason the program needs to be temporarily suspended Vermilion City Council has the power to do so.

Q: Do all downtown businesses have to participate in the DORA?

No. Upon activating the DORA, all downtown establishments have the option to participate. For bars and restaurants that carry appropriate liquor permits, owners can opt-in to participate by agreeing to the local terms of participation. For non-bar/restaurant establishments, window decals will be made available that indicate whether DORA drinks are permitted within their establishment.

Q: Simply, will folks be walking around drunk downtown, making a mess, and disrespecting the space we care about so much?

We find that our visitors and residents respect and value our community. That is not expected and per research, established DORA communities have not experienced this as a problem. The DORA is intended to be a positive experience for our community, and we trust individuals who participate in the DORA respect not only the guidelines but the privilege. As always, we rely on the Vermilion Police Department to protect our community and the safety of patrons as well as bartenders who distribute alcohol to customers year-round.

Q: I'm hosting a special event downtown when a DORA will be active and hosting a beer garden is part of our event revenue. Should I be concerned this will cut our revenue?

Visitors with a DORA drink are not permitted to enter another DORA establishment with a drink. So, if event participants want to purchase a drink from a DORA establishment downtown, that drink is not permitted inside a beer garden with a DORA designation.

Also, special events can opt-in to a DORA designation upon filing for a liquor permit that includes DORA. Then, upon purchasing approved DORA cups, can sell DORA drinks from a beer garden. This would allow event participants to capture revenue from DORA and also support downtown businesses at the same time since DORA drinks would be permitted to travel downtown during active DORA days and hours.

Finally, as Vermilion City Council sees fit, a DORA can be temporarily suspended for a day or weekend.

Q: What role does law enforcement play in DORA districts?

Main Street Vermilion has actively communicated with the Vermilion Police Department from the onset of considering this program for our community. Policing the DORA carries with it a need to understand the various rules and regulations in place for the community and educating the public on how to use and respect the program falls upon Main Street Vermilion. As shown above, the guidelines include statewide minimum requirements while also offering up wide latitude for rules that are unique to the village, city, or township. In order to best enact a plan for enforcement and safety, the more specific the local DORA rules are, the better. Again, educating the public is a priority for the success of this program.

If you have additional questions about Vermilion’s proposed DORA, please contact Main Street Vermilion at 440.963.0772 or via email.