From American Tobacco to Central Park, imagine roaming Durham with a drink in hand

At Thursday’s meeting, the Durham City Council will hear a presentation on how this new initiative could work.

Under the rules of a social district, customers could buy a beverage and walk around with it, going into businesses who choose to participate.

After weathering a pandemic and dealing with parking problems, Fullsteam Brewery CEO Sean Lilly Wilson is open to the idea of a social district in the Bull City.

"We’ve heard from other brewery owners, and we’ve seen good success from cities like Asheboro to Greensboro, so why not try it here," Wilson said. "The city has spent a lot of time thinking about the logistics and the implementation of it, so I have no doubt it will be well designed, it’s just whether it’s what people want, remains to be seen."

Doel Gonzalez, co-owner of downtown restaurant Spanglish, is strongly in favor of the social district.

"It’s something that I think is quite exciting," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said his restaurant is working to obtain their ABC license, but in the meantime, the social district will be good for business.

"We see it as a huge opportunity, because let’s say this rolls out before we get our license, we get people who won’t walk away because we don’t have alcohol yet," Gonzalez said.

The proposed social district has many regulations, including required signs in businesses, and a strict outline of acceptable cups that can be carried around.

The social district would run seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Interested businesses approached Downtown Durham Inc. about a social district months ago.

Proponents of a social district in downtown Durham believe it’s an opportunity to help businesses bounce back from the pandemic and boost their bottom line.

"We see this as one more tool to help support our small, locally owned, independently owned businesses in the downtown district," said Executive Director and President Nicole J. Thompson.

Thompson said the district leverages Durham’s walkability.

"We definitely believe that it will give people another reason to come downtown, stay a little longer," Thompson said.

Mayor Pro Tem Mark-Anthony Middleton said helping small businesses is a priority.

"As an elected official, I’m a brand ambassador for Durham, so I’m very much interested in us having economic vitality and continuing to be one of the leading forces of our regional economy," Middleton said.

However, he wants discussion at Thursday’s meeting about ensuring downtown is a welcoming space for everyone.

"Discussion with questions around equity and access for all residents of Durham, which I think are very important to deal with before we move forward," he said.