On Monday, May 19th at 7:00 in the R44 Event Space at 10675 Main Street, Mantua, OH 44255, the Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an Informational Meeting for the public to learn more about the proposed Downtown Mantua Designated Outdoor Recreation Area (DORA). A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, is a specified area of land that a local legislative authority (city council or township trustees) has designated as exempt from certain open container provisions as laid out in Ohio Revised Code Section 4301.82. A group of businesses has put together a proposal that the Village Mayor could present to Council for consideration. However, before it gets submitted to council the Chamber would like to find out what the residents think. A DORA would only apply in a specific area on specific days during specific hours. It’s not a free-drinking zone. Only beverages purchased from a licensed vendor are allowed to be consumed.
The Chamber has put together a proposal that they plan to present to Mayor Tammy Meyer, who will then submit it to the Village Council, who will vote on the proposal. If the Council approves the proposal, the Ohio State Liquor Board will be notified and the liquor licenses for the businesses located inside the DORA boundary will be updated to include the right to sell drinks for consumption within the DORA.
Guidelines exist to protect the public and limit disorderly behavior. For example, the right to refuse to serve people who have already enjoyed too many beverages will still apply. Customers cannot take the same cup into a different business and get it refilled. They must enter the restaurant or bar without a cup in their hand. Retail businesses will be allowed to decide for themselves if they will permit patrons to bring alcoholic beverages onto their premises. For example, many banks do not allow customers to bring drinks into their business. Each business within the DORA will be provided with a sign for their door by the Chamber of Commerce, to let customers know if they can bring their drink inside or not. People drinking their own alcoholic beverages without using the approved DORA cups will still be subject to open container laws. The DORA will only be available during certain hours on certain days. Signs marking the boundaries will be installed.
Downtown Mantua is a walkable community. The Chamber of Commerce believes the DORA proposal will allow customers to spend more time walking around instead of sitting in one place. We have several unique shops to explore. This could encourage more events to take place downtown. For example, while special events, like the Art on the Hill, will still require their own special Liquor License, customers could bring their drinks to the Farmer’s & Makers Market on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of June-August. Or, customers could sip on hot, mulled wine while Christmas shopping during Merry Evening in the Village.
We would encourage all the residents of the Village, or anyone interested in learning more about DORA to join us on Monday, May 19th at the R44 Event Space.
If you are unable to attend the meeting but still have a comment or want to ask a question, you can reach out to the Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce at msacoc@gmail.com
