SMITHFIELD – The Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation (DSDC), in partnership with the Town of Smithfield, has launched the Downtown Smithfield Social District—a new initiative aimed at creating a more vibrant, walkable downtown experience.
Starting this week, visitors will be able to enjoy alcoholic beverages in designated outdoor areas within the Social District boundaries. The district will operate on the following schedule:
- Wednesday – Friday: 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
The district boundaries are clearly marked with signage throughout downtown, and a detailed map is available online and at participating businesses. Additional trash receptacles will be placed at entry and exit points to help maintain a clean and welcoming environment.
How It Works:
Participating businesses with alcohol permits may serve beverages in plastic containers no larger than 16 ounces. Each beverage must be clearly labeled to identify the establishment where it was purchased, in accordance with state guidelines.
All businesses located within the Social District—whether they serve alcohol or not—will display signage on their entrances indicating whether they allow alcoholic beverages inside. Businesses that do not serve alcohol may choose whether to allow customers with beverages to enter, and may set their own policies regarding conduct and cup disposal.
Town open container laws remain in effect, and alcohol must only be consumed within the designated district. Violations should be reported to local law enforcement.
“This new initiative is about more than just enjoying a drink outdoors,” said Heidi Gilmond, Executive Director of the Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation. “It’s about building a more connected and lively downtown—supporting our local businesses, encouraging community engagement, and creating a space where people want to spend time together.”
Why does everything have to include alcohol to try and make the place better and have people hangout more?!
Have you tried? Pretty fun in moderation. Would love to see more action on deterring binge drinking myself though.
I can see it now, drinking on courthouse steps, where alcohol is there will be problems.
The Courthouse isn’t part of the Social District. So there is no problem there.
You have no idea what I was talking about, yes I know the courthouse isn’t, but the sidewalk is.
So park cops at the ends of the social district, if they see people drinking in the social district, and get behind the wheel of a vehicle, they pull person over and charge them for drunk driving.
Again, alcohol and Market St traffic are a bad combination.
Absolutely True…Deadly!1
But then anything near Mkt Street is simply reckless.
What are people going to do downtown, anyway?
Hardly any reason to even be there.
Crazy ….
Someone gets paid to think of these bright ideas? What a hero!
This will never work. This is nothing more than an invitation for problems. It is a shame that the town thinks that alcohol is the answer to socializing. If a person needs alcohol to walk up and down the streets, then the town needs to take a better look at the streets. They must be that bad that someone needs to drink! Good luck, you are going to run all the good business out and let’s not forget about the children.
Not really sure promoting drinking alcohol as “ social” will help the problems associated with alcohol. Drunk driving, addiction, abuse, divorce, job loss, death, alcohol poisoning. The novelty of the social district will wear off as it has in Clayton and what’s left is . Imagine if they made a part of i95 as a “no speed limit zone” where you can deprive as fast as you want. That would be fun.
Drinking at 3 on a Wednesday?! There’s your sign.
Totally ridiculous these people in these positions making these decisions should be replaced as well as the town council authorizing all these homes and apartments being built. Stop trying to turn Smithfield into Raleigh! Spend some money on opening a free spay and neuter clinic as well as educational programs to educate our county on animal welfare! Your promoting bad things to happen starting with alcohol allowing other things to happen…
I agree, but you inadvertently stated the reason why they won’t do it. “ Spend the money”. They only care about making money. Society be da*ned.