17-05-2025
DORA set to strengthen Columbus Grove community, businesses
May 16—COLUMBUS GROVE — The Columbus Grove Village Council approved two ordinances establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area downtown in a recent April 28 meeting.
A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, DORA, is land a local legislative authority has designated exempt from open container provisions, allowing patrons to purchase an open alcoholic beverage from a liquor permit holder and leave the premises, continuing consumption within the DORA designated area.
Council members and business owners see the potential benefits DORA can bring for the community.
"We felt the possibilities of creating events in the downtown area warranted this to be established," Aaron Siefker, Columbus Grove Village Council member, said via email.
Chris Halker, owner of Halker's Bar & Grill, 209 W. Sycamore St., believes DORA will strenghten the local community and bring in outsiders.
"I think it will bring businesses together and do more things for the town and the community," Halker said in a phone interview. "Hopefully it will bring more people to our community."
The council was deliberate in its approach when selecting the DORA boundary.
"We decided as a council that we wanted to keep this primarily in the downtown area and also did not want to just throw a blanket over the entire village and make it a giant section of the town," Siefker said.
Establishments are required to have the proper liquor licenses per the state's guidelines in a DORA.
According to a map from the council, the DORA boundary spans include Sycamore Street, Plum Street, Liberty Street and High Street, which includes a handful of local, eligible businesses.
"The establishments within the boundary with eligible licenses are Miller's Lunch, The Axe-Handle, Halker's Bar & Grill, and the Columbus Grove VFW Post 9648," Siefker said.
Council is at the mercy of the state to approve it at this point, according to Siefker.
"Everything has been completed on our end, including having the necessary signage for the boundary as well as the indicators that go on the beverage cups," he said.
Council members know it will take time for businesses to navigate the new ordinance and are preparing for positive and negative outcomes.
"We hope that everyone can get something positive out of this, but we're also not under any illusions that this doesn't have the possibility to have negatives as well," Siefker said.
Reach Cade Higgins at 567-242-0351.
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