The Oregon District | Photo by Kayli Thompson | The Wright State Guardian
Businesses in Dayton’s Oregon District are excited to offer to-go beverages for patrons age 21 and over to enjoy while walking the streets of the district on weekends beginning on Friday, Sep. 4.
Utilizing the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) that passed on March 10 by Ohio state legislature, local bars and restaurants will have the opportunity to offer their goods while also providing safer, extended outdoor seating.
‘Out on Fifth’ Pilot Program
Weekend visitors to the Oregon District will have the opportunity to enjoy live music and street vendors as the pilot program will be running every weekend through October.
The program will begin on Friday’s at 5 p.m. and streets will remain closed until 10 p.m. on Sunday, with events wrapping up at 10 p.m. each night.
“It’s like using the DORA in a new way during coronavirus,” Said Mayor of Dayton Nan Whaley. “A lot of small towns have it, but I believe this is the largest area in a bigger city to be doing this.”
The ability to have customers outside and in an open-air setting is crucial for smaller bars and restaurants in the area operating with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as coronavirus concerns are still casting a shadow over much of the world.
Local Brews, Local Culture
Toxic Brew Company, located at 431 E. Fifth St. in Dayton’s Oregon District, is one of many Dayton area businesses excited to be taking full advantage of the DORA, and will be welcoming mask-wearing guests throughout the length of the pilot program.
“It’s been a long six months,” said Toxic Brew Company’s Sales and Distribution Manager Adam Stephens.
Stephens additionally works as the company’s event manager and co-runs social media accounts, giving him additional opportunities to interact with guests during this unprecedented time.
“Guests have been extremely cooperative and mindful of the situations we’re going through,” Stephens said.
Toxic Brew Company, which has been serving customers for 13 years in the Oregon District, is a local favorite brewery, and leaves many across the area eager to return after each visit.
“With our location we get lots of students from both the University of Dayton as well as Wright State,” Stephens said.
For Tyler Burton of Troy, OH., the atmosphere and excellent customer service are what keeps him returning to the business whenever he visits the Oregon District with his friends.
“It’s nice to be able to go out and get delicious beer with my friends and get treated so well by the staff,” Burton said. “I’ve never had a negative experience at Toxic Brew Company.”
Support Local Business
Supporting local businesses has never been more important than it is right during the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead of going to the same chain restaurant or drinking the same grocery store beer this fall, maybe visit the Oregon District instead. The locally-run bars and restaurants will gladly serve you with a masked smile.
