PORT HURON, MI — A city in the Thumb is in the process of elevating its downtown experience. The city is in its final stages of getting approval for a social district, which would allow patrons to take alcoholic beverages to-go and hang out in the area.
Businesses in downtown Port Huron are waiting for their final stamp of approval from the state to be allowed to offer customers take-home cocktails.
Other communities in mid-Michigan are also trying their hand at having a social district.
In August, the Bay City Commission unanimously approved a resolution designating a “social district”, which will span the Downtown Business District area.
In August, Port Huron businesses applied to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission after getting several approvals from Port Huron City Council to operate as a social district, according to city officials.
Downtown Development Authority Director Cynthia Cutright spearheaded the project, and quickly acted on the opportunity for the city after the state passed a law this summer to set up outdoor drinking districts as many bar and restaurant owners seek any help they can get to recoup COVID-19 losses.
According to the state law, all the drink cups have to be disposable, no more than 16 ounces and have both the logo of the business and be from the social district.
“It really just came about with a mixture of COVID, and a mixture of wanting to bring something new to our downtown,” said Cutright of the decision to apply for the social district.
So far, nine businesses have applied to be a part of the social district, but the door is open for more to join, Cutright stated.
The district is approved to operate until Oct. 31. However, approval for the social district covers the businesses until May 2021. At that time, the city would have to reapply to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, according to city officials.
Cutright said the city is hopeful that this new opportunity will bring more people to the downtown area.
“To be able to entice people to get downtown and be able to serve them and then head out on the streets, if they are comfortable sitting indoors, whatever the case might be for our citizens, and our visitors, and the tourists to get downtown and then more importantly than anything, stay downtown,” Cutright said.
Once patrons leave the business with the alcoholic beverage they aren’t allowed to go inside another business with the drink, even if it’s within the district. Instead, they are encouraged to visit one of the common areas.
One common area is the McMorran Place Plaza, where the city has created a beach atmosphere with sand, lawn chairs and the game cornhole. The other common area located near the South end of the district is the pocket park, where seating is available to overlook the river.
Cutright said the areas are designed to get people outside and enjoy what the downtown area has to offer.
Casey’s, located on the North end of the downtown area, is one of the businesses included in the district.
“I think most of the reasons we wanted to be a part of it was to support the other restaurants,” Co-owner Carrie Harris said.
Carrie Harris and her husband Casey Harris have owned the restaurant for nearly 15 years.
Carrie Harris said the business, like others, is only at 50 percent capacity for seating, but they’re equipped to accommodate quite a few customers for outdoor seating.
Casey’s menu features items such as mahi tacos, portobello burger, poke bowl and a criss-cross sammy, a dish made of chicken, bacon, mozzarella and a side of chipotle ranch.
A trio of mahi tacos.Andrew Jowett
“The restaurants downtown, we’re in a smaller area, in a smaller community. Everybody wants to see downtown succeed and grow,” Carrie Harris said.
Related news:
Bay City gives green light to Wenonah Park playground, downtown outdoor social district
Cocktails to go, outdoor drinking districts earn support from Michigan House panel
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