City Council has moved forward with plans to establish a designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA, in Harrison’s historic downtown district. A DORA allows people to enjoy alcoholic beverages while walking between participating establishments.
"The idea that you can take your cup and walk down to a retailer and go in – if they choose to participate – encourages street traffic," Shannon David Hamons, economic development director for the City of Harrison, told WCPO Channel 9. "[It] encourages people to go to more than one establishment…to keep people circulating throughout the district."
The City must receive approval from the State of Ohio, erect signs and purchase designated cups before the DORA is put in place. It may be a month or more before the DORA is established, but it’s expected to bring more foot traffic to Harrison’s downtown businesses. Diners, shoppers and visitors will purchase the designated cups at participating businesses, which so far include 1860 Taproom & Bottleshop, Coffee Peddlar, Heist + Co., Market Street Grille and Valley House.
