ROCHESTER, Mich. – A concept that has helped other Michigan cities bring more people and more money into their downtowns is on its way to Rochester.
City Council recently approved an ordinance creating a “social district” in the city’s downtown, allowing customers to carry alcoholic drinks purchased at participating bars and restaurants into a designated outdoor zone while they walk, shop, and explore.
For some businesses, this is exciting.
“Business in Rochester has been a little bit slower than normal,” said George Saigh, manager of Rochester Mills Beer Company. “Summer’s not typically the busiest time of the year. During the lights is actually our busiest season for Rochester, so yeah, anything we can do to bring more people into the city is always a great thing.”
Right now, customers at Rochester Mills can drink only inside the restaurant or out on the patio.
Once the social district is in place, they’ll be able to take their drinks to go within the district boundaries in approved containers and continue visiting other downtown shops and venues.
“Anything we can do to get more people walking through downtown Rochester and getting people excited about it is always a great thing,” Saigh said.
The downtown development authority executive director, Kristi Trevarrow, said the idea of getting the district came about after business owners reached out to her.
She said they researched it and thought it would be good, especially for special events.
“Our downtown businesses, while they wanted to accommodate their customers, they recognize it’s about the bottom line and the economics.”
Local 4 also reached out to other areas to see how this social district has helped their businesses.
According to the Farmington Hills Downtown Development Authority executive director Jessica Westendorf, their social district has helped Farmington Brewing Company generate about $40,000 annually.
Residents, meanwhile, are split.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said Rochester resident Linus Thalman while walking downtown.
Others like the potential economic impact but worry about oversight and safety.
“Watching how much people are drinking and being able to keep track of the locations they’re going afterwards instead of just taking open containers in their car I feel like is very important,” said resident Isabela Dinverno.
The social district still has a few steps to go before people can stroll Main Street with a drink in hand.
After City Council’s approval, the plan now goes to the state for review. If the state signs off, restaurants and bars would then have to apply to be a part of the program.
The executive director of the Rochester Downtown Development Authority said the goal is to have the social district up and running sometime around November, in time for the city’s busy holiday season and Lagniappe.