Beer on the streets of Ravenna may be nothing new, but soon it will be legal — at least in certain downtown areas with some strings attached.
The Ohio Department of Commerce on July 5 approved Ravenna for a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area that will span roughly east-west from Sycamore Street to Prospect Street, and north-south from Cedar Avenue to Spruce Avenue. Officials hope to launch the program this summer.
DORA patrons will be able to buy their drinks, which will be served in specially marked plastic cups, from three bars only for now: Tavern 1888, Cimmaron Lounge and the West Main Street Winery & Brewery. No cans, glass bottles or outside drinks are permitted within DORA boundaries.
DORA hours will be from noon to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
“I am excited to see the DORA getting put into action and am hopeful for it to bring growth to our city,” Ravenna Council Member Christina West said. “It’s the beginning of some small changes that can help bring people and business to Ravenna.”
DORA “stop signs” will be posted in about 30 places, each one marking a DORA boundary beyond which alcoholic beverages are forbidden, City Council President Andrew Kluge said. Additionally, area businesses will post DORA stickers in their windows: a green one indicating that customers with DORA drinks are welcome, or a red one advising DORA patrons to leave their drinks at the door.
To accommodate what council anticipates will be additional trash, the city is increasing the frequency of DORA-area trash pickups, and the three participating venues will each have to install two trash receptacles outside their doors, Kluge said.
City council is working with Main Street Ravenna to order the required DORA cups and stickers. Kluge said he hopes to have the DORA in place before the city’s Aug. 6 Ravenna Rocks concert.
Council developed DORA at the request of downtown businesses and Main Street Ravenna, and the idea gained steam when the state reduced the required number of establishments providing DORA drinks from five to three, he said.
Bar 130, located at 130 E. Main St., opted out of the DORA. Kluge said the owner did not give him a reason, and The Portager could not reach him by phone.
The Big Dog Saloon at 432 W. Highland Ave. and the English Pub & Bistro at 320 E. Main St. are both outside the city’s current DORA boundaries. Kluge said those boundaries could be adjusted at some point, but it is a process the city is not now considering.
City leaders will review whether the DORA was successful in October, Kluge said. Any and all changes will be on the table, including halting the DORA temporarily or permanently.
Wendy DiAlesandro is a former Record Publishing Co. reporter and contributing writer for The Portager.