Mantua chamber to hold meeting about potential DORA district

The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce is set to host an informational meeting about a proposed Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in downtown Mantua.

The informational meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 19 in the Restoration 44 (R44) event space at 10675 Main St. Anyone unable to attend, but who wishes to comment or ask a question, may contact the chamber at msacoc@gmail.com.

Chamber President Randy Ellis said effective hours of the DORA could be from noon to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. An alternative could be from noon to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The chamber plans to present its DORA proposal to village Mayor Tammy Meyer, who would then present it to village council. Should council approve a DORA district, the village would notify the Ohio State Liquor Control Board. Liquor licenses for businesses inside the DORA would be updated to include the right to sell drinks for consumption within district boundaries.

Meyer declined to comment until she receives the proposal.

If approved, council would have to review its DORA legislation every five years and could amend it for special events should the need arise, Ellis said.

DORA districts are not free-drinking zones. Only alcoholic beverages purchased from licensed DORA vendors would be permitted. People drinking their own alcoholic beverages without using approved DORA cups would still be subject to open container laws.

Businesses could refuse to serve customers who seem to already have over-indulged. People would not be permitted to take a cup they already have into a different business to try to get it refilled: they must enter the business empty-handed.

The chamber would install signage marking DORA boundaries and would provide all businesses within it with signs indicating if they sell DORA beverages, if they welcome DORA beverages inside, or if customers must finish their drinks before entering.

Ellis said local restaurateurs and Farmers & Makers Market leaders initially floated the idea of a DORA district. Chamber members believe the district would encourage customers to spend more time walking about the downtown area instead of remaining in one place.

“While special events, like Art on the Hill, will still require their own liquor license, customers could bring their drinks to the Farmers & Makers Market on the second and fourth Fridays of June through August,” Ellis said. “Or customers could sip on hot mulled wine while Christmas shopping during Merry Evening in the Village.”