Courtesy Photo This is the map of the proposed social district in Rogers City. A social district allows customers who purchase an alcoholic beverage from a licensed bar or restaurant located within the social district to consume it in public. People can also take their drinks into other small businesses, as long as the businesses do not sell food or drinks or an owner disallows it.

ALPENA — The Rogers City Main Street/Downtown Development Authority is getting close to establishing a social district in and around downtown.

A social district allows customers who purchase an alcoholic beverage from a licensed bar or restaurant located within the social district to consume it in public. People can also take their drinks into other small businesses, as long as the businesses do not sell food or drinks or an owner disallows it.

Social districts were legalized in Michigan to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic when many businesses couldn’t offer indoor dining.

At its meeting Wednesday morning, the Main Street/DDA board received an update on the progress of the district.

Kaelie Fessler, executive director of the Rogers City Main Street program, said the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) approved the authority and city’s request to create the district and now local businesses that serve alcohol in it, can apply for a license to participate in the program.

The Rogers City City Council will have the final say if the proposed district is established or not.

The proposed district runs along much of Third Avenue, a portion of 1st Avenue, and in nearby city parks. The district also includes the harbor and the Rogers City Sports Park, which people affectionately call The Hole.

Fessler said there are six businesses in the district that would qualify for the program: the Lighthouse Restaurant, the International Sports Bar and Grill, the Rogers City Servicemen’s Club, Pinewood Tavern, Greka’s Tavern, and the Up North 23 restaurant.

The goal is to have the social district up and running this summer in time for some upcoming events.

Fessler said she has received support for the district from residents and businesses that will benefit from increased foot traffic downtown.

“There’s a high level of enthusiasm, and we’re optimistic that many, if not all, will be operational by the height of the summer season in Rogers City,” she said. “We’re thrilled about the economic potential of the social district. There’s a real sense of anticipation in Rogers City regarding the increased foot traffic and the boost it will bring to our local businesses through higher attendance at our events and even on an average day in our beautiful community. We’re confident this will be a major driver of increased vibrancy and growth.”

Fessler said the DDA did significant research about social districts to make sure one would be a good fit in Rogers City. She said she utilized the one in Alpena, which was established in 2021, and others around Michigan. Fessler said she was able to gather good information and ideas that she was able to include in the plan for a social district in Rogers City.

“We’ve been fortunate to have strong support throughout this process,” she said. “Anne Gentry from the Alpena DDA and Brad Szatkowski, our local MLCC contact, provided invaluable guidance during the initial stages. Seeing the success of social districts in Alpena and similar communities has been incredibly inspiring. We’re eager to replicate that exciting growth potential here in Rogers City. We’re especially grateful to Anne Gentry in Alpena, whose willingness to share her knowledge and experience has been invaluable in getting us started.”

Gentry said she hopes a social district in Rogers City enjoys the same success as the one in Alpena. She said it has lured more people to the downtown and into local small businesses. Gentry said it also opened the door for more downtown events and larger crowds at them.

“The social district has been really beneficial for our downtown,” Gentry said. “It’s been huge for events like New Year’s Eve or the Flower Festival where attendees can grab a drink, walk around, and enjoy the festivities in these public spaces. Nearly all our bars and taprooms have a social district permit and renew it each year, so they are seeing a financial benefit to having it in place.”

Fessler said the DDA intends to place signs in the windows of downtown businesses that alert people of licensed businesses that sell alcoholic drinks in the district and what businesses allow drinks to be brought into. She said district boundaries will also be clearly visible, so nobody inadvertently takes a cocktail outside of the dedicated district area.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 or sschulwitz@TheAlpenaNews.com. Follow him on X @ss_alpenanews.com.