DAVIDSON, N.C. — Davidson’s two social districts are up and running. It’s perfect timing as many people are looking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this weekend.
Businesses participating in the social district have signage at their front doors or windows letting folks know exactly where they can go and grab a drink to-go.
Knotty and Board Interiors is one of those businesses -- where people can get a little more than furniture and décor.
“It’s going to help everyone kind of interact within the town and not have to be limited,” Knotty and Board Interiors Owner Kim Hankins said. “We sell beer and wine … you can sit on our porch and then walk down the street to dinner or to another store.”
Folks pouring in can buy alcohol there and then walk outside to another establishment within the district with their drink in hand.
“We have the cups right here that have the social district stickers on it and we can pour their drink into there,” Hankins said. “We also have these stickers if somebody has a beer or something and they don’t want to put it in a cup then we can put a sticker on their can as long as it’s not glass.”
The two designated areas are the Davidson Main Street Social District and the Davidson Circles Social District.
Some businesses like KF Studios will let you bring your drink in and shop but won’t have any alcohol for sale there.
“We don’t want people to think they have to leave something at the door or that they are not welcomed in here,” KF Studios Owner Kristen Feighery said. “We even welcome dogs here, so we are not going to push people out because of a beer.”
Local businesses said they are hoping this leads to more foot traffic in town.
“I think it is good for business,” Feighery said. “It’s more fun for people and it encourages people to stick around longer.”
“We’re excited about the unity it is going to bring here,” Dana Willis, the lead server at Mandolino’s Artisan Pizza, said. “People will be able to get a drink here and go down to the greens and enjoy the concerts this summer.”
The districts are up and running seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
“I cannot wait to see all of the new customers that we are going to get in and all of the new business this summer,” Willis said.
It’s an initiative the town said has been a long time coming.
“Davidson … We encourage people to be outside, to walk and to promote our sense of community and I think this will be a big part in enhancing that,” Town of Davidson Communications Director Jessica Eggimann-Johnson said.
For those concerned about safety, Davidson police will ensure folks can safely drink and go within the boundaries.
“They will continue to patrol as normal, and I think we want to make sure there is an education period for residents to learn the boundaries and perimeters, and so there will be a lot of educating on what that means,” Eggimann-Johnson said.
Contact Jesse Pierre at jpierrepet@wcnc.com or follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.