CIRCLEVILLE – A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) allows patrons ages 21 and older to purchase an alcoholic beverage from an approved, liquor-permitted establishment, then sip, stroll, shop, and explore within the designated boundaries.
This is something that the City of Circleville and Council are considering for Downtown Circleville. DORA would allow people to shop in stores that do not sell beverages, attend events, and sit and enjoy the downtown area.
Circleville Mayor has released a DORA outline for the downtown area, that includes parts of Franklin, Main, Pinckney, and High Streets.
The mayor said that the DORA would help downtown business, allowing people to sip and shop.
The State of Ohio approved the DORA concept in 2015, and many cities in Central Ohio have an active DORA, including Grove City, Hilliard, Powell, and Worthington. Chillicothe City Council approved its DORA in 2017 in its Downtown district.
Council also with help from other officials including Law enforcement would set guidelines that drinkers would have to adhere to. One guideline already mentioned is that DORA would not be in effect during pumpkin show.
