HUDSON, OH (July 8, 2020) – At the July 7 Council meeting, Hudson City Council passed legislation to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in downtown Hudson to support merchants during the coronavirus pandemic. Creating a DORA would allow customers to purchase DORA alcoholic beverages and be free to walk around in a specific geographic area during specific hours. The legislation paves the way for establishing a DORA once the submittal process is completed with the State of Ohio. More information will be provided as the application process is completed.
Destination Hudson, the Merchants of Hudson and the Hudson Chamber of Commerce have been working with the City to implement the program and will be creating the special cups, signs and other materials needed to launch the program.
The designated DORA area includes downtown Main Street, First and Main, and the Gazebo and Clock Tower greens. Signs will be installed to indicate the boundaries of the approved district. When the program is up and running, patrons 21 years of age and older can visit a participating Hudson bar or restaurant during the hours of noon to 9 p.m. seven days a week and purchase a DORA beverage. Those beverages in specially branded cups can be carried throughout the DORA district. People cannot bring their own alcohol into the area.
Stay tuned for more information about rules and requirements and a starting date when the City receives approval from the State and works with local businesses to implement the program. For more information, visit www.hudson.oh.us/DORA.