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On State and Main Street, Ann Arbor locals are now invited to enjoy a drink in the Downtown Social District, whether it’s by sipping a craft beer at Ashley’s or a post-jazz show cocktail at Blue Llama.
Since the Ann Arbor City Council and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission approved an expanded plan on Sept. 18, 2024, the Social District has been open daily from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. The expansion allows people to carry up to 16 ounces of beer, wine or liquor in a designated cup or can from participating businesses while walking within the boundaries of the social district map.
The social district was originally implemented by the Main Street Area Association in 2021. Back then, the district was confined to Main Street, but has since expanded to the State Street District.
Ashley Schafer, executive director of the Main Street Area Association, explained the reasoning behind the expansion in an interview with The Michigan Daily.
“We thought that from a customer’s perspective, it made more sense to have one unified social district, so we worked together to identify what the footprint would be and what that expansion would look like,” Schafer said.
Schafer explained that the social district allows consumers to be flexible with their plans. .
“I would say the benefits are really for the consumer,” Schafer said. “They’re able to kind of get a drink, walk to the other side of downtown, go see a show when there’s events going on. They’re not just restricted to one area, so ultimately, this kind of just supports the entire downtown Ann Arbor.”
Jeffrey More, owner of Ashley’s on State Street and board member of the State Street District, said he believes the social district enhances the downtown scene and guest experience, which is helpful to local businesses.
“Because our traffic flow hasn’t been as strong as it has been in the past, particularly during the summer weekends, I wanted to do a social district because I’m looking for anything that makes the area more attractive,” More said.
More said he believes the new social district plan makes Ann Arbor more attractive and fun, especially during festivals.
“Whether you live here or you’re looking for something to do on an evening, you can come here, grab a drink, window shop,” More said. “Then we get the advantage of the art fair in the summer … you can get your drink and wander the car show or wander during Taste of Ann Arbor. … It just makes it more fun.”
Angela Heflin, executive director of the State Street District, told The Daily she does not expect current safety standards to be impacted by the increasing numbers of people in the social district. She noted that the previous social district operated without issues and does not believe the expansion will impede law enforcement.
“In the time that Main Street has had a social district, over the last couple years, there have been no issues or situations that I am aware of,” Heflin said. “I don’t anticipate that it will be a burden on law enforcement or create any additional challenges within the area.”
LSA senior Angela Haddad told The Daily she is skeptical about the new plan, citing potential environmental consequences.
“I think there’s going to be a lot more littering with people walking around with drinks and especially if they’re drunk,” Haddad said. “There’s going to be more garbage everywhere because some people don’t know how to properly throw things away in a trash can.”
Aside from her environmental concerns, Haddad said she imagines her friends will take advantage of the expanded district and thinks the plan will help local businesses.
“I can see my friends going from place to place, so I think it could be a cute idea,” Haddad said. “The idea of being able to purchase drinks to go can create more business for these restaurants, so I don’t see why they wouldn’t want to participate in it.”
Daily News Reporter Barrett Dolata can be reached at bdolata@umich.edu.
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