LINCOLNTON, N.C. — Social districts are popping up throughout North Carolina. Towns like Mooresville, Hickory and Kannapolis recently added to the growing list that allows open containers in designated spaces. Now, Lincolnton is the latest place to add a social district in our area.
Community members like Trent Mason are looking forward to see what follows.
"It's all about more foot traffic for our local vendors," he said.
Mason has been a vocal supporter of adding a social district to his town.
“We know that foot traffic equals more people, which equals more dollars downtown," he said.
Those dollars are exactly what local businesses in Lincolnton want. Rachel Herman runs Local Roots & Provisions. She believes the launching of the social district is exactly what the town needs.
"It just helps bring a better awareness to what our town has to offer," she said. “The social district paired with all of the new businesses that are coming to town -- it all really kind of blends together and helps bring in new people that may not have heard about us."
There was some pushback with fear of adding drinks to-go to the downtown area.
“I just feel like you really won't notice much of a difference because everyone's going to be responsible and it's just going to add to our town," Herman said.
PREVIOUSLY: Lincolnton approves social district for downtown
Several community members are optimistic once those opposed to the social district see what happens, their minds will be changed.
"We want to give people more reasons to come here and see what our city has, and explore it," he said.
Contact Myles Harris at mharris5@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.