SALEM, Ohio - Salem city council is moving forward with drafting legislation that is expected to increase the time frame for its Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area or DORA.

 

Business owners say the two and a half months trial went well and helped attract business.

 

In Salem, the owner of Ricky's English Pub and Restaurant would like to see the designated outdoor refreshment area or Dora that allowed people to take drinks bought at certain establishments outside extended.

 

"At least until maybe November 1st, or December 1st, because of the Labor Day cut off the weather is still very nice at that point. I thought an Oktoberfest or some other festival for the city would be great," said Rick Metts owner of Ricky's English Pub and Restaurant.

 

A DORA or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area is a specified area of land that is exempt from certain provisions of Ohio's open container laws.

Salem city council is drafting legislation that would extend the DORA to three days a week the entire year.

 

"We need to pass an ordinance to amend our application to the state at the next meeting. IF the state approves that will go into the rules of Salem and we don't see any problem with that," said Councilwoman Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey.

Dickey added, "Thursday from noon until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday from noon until 10:00 p.m, every week throughout the year, and special events by council approval."

 

The bill must go through three votes by the city council in order to become an ordinance.

 

The first vote is expected to take place on December 7th, with two more votes in the new year.

 

"Whenever we have the public meetings people can come discuss whether they like it, or don't like that. It also gives an opportunity for restaurant owners, bar owners to say hey we didn't like it or we loved it, thank you," said Tom Baker City Council President.

After that, the city must apply with the State for approval.

 

Drinks must be in specific DORA cups, and  The designated area runs from State and Ellsworth to State and Lincoln and a couple blocks north and south.

 

Baker added, "At every sidewalk and intersection signs are placed stating you're entering a DORA zone or you're leaving a DORA zone so you can;t just walk through it with an open container and get in trouble."