CONCORD, N.C. — Folks now have a reason to sip and stroll in Downtown Concord.
Concord has joined a growing list of cities in North Carolina by launching a social district.
The new social district went into place as the downtown area continues to undergo major renovations and businesses have been struggling to bring in customers because of the ongoing construction.
Business owners in downtown Concord told WCNC Charlotte's Jesse Pierre they welcome the extra foot traffic.
The social district is a tool the city is using to attract people to the downtown area and with all of this construction business owners say they could use this extra help and ask people not to let all of this construction work stop them from coming out and supporting them.
“I think the social district will add another element of fun and opportunity and get the buzz going again,” The Palmetto Market owner Christina Santos said.
Within the social district, people can walk freely with alcoholic beverages sold by participating businesses.
Look for stickers like at Benny DaCorsa’s Pizza that say: “Drinks sold here”.
“We have a bunch of different beers from local breweries,” Mason Zammiello, General Manager at Benny’s, said.
Then, beverage in hand, you can walk down to other businesses like at The Palmetto Market where "drinks are welcomed".
“I’m always looking for ways to collaborate with other businesses and although we won’t be selling alcohol, we will collaborate with them whether it is after-hours shopping or girls' night,” Santos who opened the store just five months ago, drawn to the small time feel of downtown Concord, said.
Some people are already fans.
“I like the freedom of it," Concord resident Krystal Rhodes said. "I like being able to go into one place and not being stuck to one place."
Rhodes is also hoping the district will also create more of a nightlife in downtown Concord.
Businesses hope the initiative has people pouring in, especially as foot traffic dried up with the ongoing streetscape project.
“It’s really going to help those businesses that have been struggling with the construction," Zammiello said. "We think it will bring more of the business at nighttime."
“The construction is part of the growing pain but as long as we stay positive and focused on the end result,” Santos said.
The project completion is expected in late September. Meanwhile, the social district is open.
“We have a vision … the community and the city that we collectively came to when it comes to what we want to provide in downtown and what comes with the streetscape project,” Downtown Concord Development Manager Paige Grochoske said. “We really want to keep our eye on that prize and see that vision, it’s not easy and we really want to encourage people to support those businesses as we work to get the project completed.”
Concord's social district hours are Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
DRINKS SOLD HERE - Participating Businesses
2 Gal's Kitchen -- Benny DaCorsa's Pizza -- Cabo Winery --Chocolatier Barruncand Inc. -- Havana Carolina -- Hawthorne's Pizza Concord -- Lil Robert's Place --Local Bottle Shop -- Mac Tabby Cat Café -- Press & Porter -- Streakers
DRINKS WELCOME - Participating Businesses
The Bead Lady -- Boston's Finest Barber Lounge -- Budget Blinds --Cellar Door Wine Shop -- Cut At An Angle Floral Design --Goldberry Books -- Drift Hair Society --Hummingbird Jamaican Restaurant -- Market 94 -- Market Street Barbers -- Not Just Franks -- ShoeBeeDo -- The Enchanted Kitchen -- The Lenz Studio --The Palmetto Market
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