Port Huron’s social district is a designated, walkable area where alcoholic beverages can be purchased from participating restaurants and then carried around inside its boundaries, and James Freed, Port Huron City Manager, said it’s “having a remarkable economic impact on our downtown.”
The social district was established in August of 2020, and almost 23,000 drinks have been sold since the first restaurant started participating in September of 2020.
When a customer purchases a drink from a participating restaurant and wants to take advantage of the social district, their drink comes in a disposable cup with a social district sticker. Revenue from the social district comes from sticker sales, and there have been $11,491 worth of stickers sold since the program started.
Participating restaurants in Port Huron’s social district are Casey’s, CityFlats, Lynch’s Irish Tavern, Raven Café, Vintage Tavern, and Wing’s Etc. Sperry’s Moviehouse is in the process of being added to the list.
Freed said Port Huron’s social district helps “support more robust entertainment opportunities downtown.”
“We are glad folks are using the district responsibility,” he said. “We have had no issues.”
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
