Chillicothe relaunches DORA program for downtown
CHILLICOTHE— Spending time downtown soon? If so you can take your drinks outside with you again as the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in downtown Chillicothe has been relaunched for this year.
DORA allows for alcoholic drinks purchased from participating businesses to be taken around the downtown area within the DORA boundaries. These will be clearly marked with signs on trashcans. All drinks must be in a specially designated cup and the other businesses within the boundary can decide whether or not to allow them inside. Just like the boundaries, businesses that participate in DORA will be clearly marked.
Last year an ordinance passed by Chillicothe City Council expanded the boundaries for DORA to allow more businesses and vendors to participate in the program. With the relaunching the DORA is now also in effect 24/7.
Thanks to the Herrnstein Family Foundation and the Chillicothe-Ross Community Foundation Downtown Chillicothe was able to purchase new uniform cups to use for the DORA program. Tiffany Baldwin, program manager for downtown Chillicothe, said before these cups the police would have to keep track of the color of cups each establishment was using.
Participating vendors are The Dock at Water, Old Canal Smoke House, Fire & Stone Pizzeria, Gustavo's International Cuisine, Old Capitol Brewing, Hometown Hibachi, The Pour House at Machinery Hall, R Kitchen Deli & Provisions, Elks Lodge, Fifty West Brewing Company, Crosskeys Tavern, Chillicothe Antique Emporium and Prohibition Legendary Bourbon Bar at The Postmark.
With the grant, Downtown Chillicothe was also able to purchase different educational cards and signs to put at these establishments. This allows more people to find out about and enjoy the program.
"We want the whole community to know about it," said Baldwin.
While this is a fun program for those spending time downtown, it is also an economic boost for the stores within the boundary. Baldwin said the ability to sip and stroll keeps people downtown longer and increases foot traffic.
"We want it to be more of an economic driver for businesses downtown," said Baldwin.
To learn more about the DORA program, see all the rules and find out more about the vendors that are participating visit the Downtown Chillicothe website.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You can email her at SReeves@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Chillicothe relaunches DORA program for downtown
