Carly C. Bostic, Executive Director of the Uptown Shelby Association, noted recently that Uptown Shelby's new Social District started as of July 1.
Bostic said this is a "first" for Uptown Shelby, adding, "(and) a big thanks is owed to our elected officials and the employees of the City of Shelby for recognizing the impact that a social district has on the vitality of local businesses."
She continued, "The start of social districts was made possible when the NC General Assembly passed a law (HB890) in September of 2021 that allowed local city and county governments to create social districts. This change in law allows cities, like Shelby, to go beyond their sidewalk ordinances permitting alcohol outside of restaurants to now allow patrons to fully explore the city and participating businesses."
Bostic noted also "...The Uptown Shelby Social District is an ordinance that was voted on and approved by the City of Shelby City Council on April 15, 2024, and took effect on July 1, 2024. The Uptown Social District will be available seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m."
The City of Shelby Police Department and Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) have been educated on the social district program and policies and are available when or if needed. Ms. Bostic said, regarding anyone not adhering to the set rules for the program/ordinance, or breaking said/stated rules of the ordinance, and that since the Uptown Shelby Social District is part of the City of Shelby and encompasses both public and private sections of the city, that "...patrons that participate are encouraged to walk and enjoy Historic Uptown Shelby and the various businesses while enjoying an alcoholic drink within the specified boundaries and hours of the district. However, if a patron does violate the city ordinance, then violators may face civil or criminal punishment as specified within the ordinance."
Patrons, said Bostic, must note that the cups are not reusable and must be disposed of before leaving the social district, and that failure to do so would be a violation of the ordinance.
"To help ensure compliance," she noted, "the back of every social district cup will contain the establishment's name, day, and time."
She continued, "If you were to go into 'Business A' and purchase a beverage it will have that specific business name and logo as well as the day and time it was ordered. A major goal of the social district is to assist with economic vitality and foot traffic in Uptown. For example, someone could order a beverage from a restaurant while waiting for their table and walk around Uptown Shelby and shop, but only in the businesses that have the 'Welcomed Here,' or 'Sold Here' decal on their window front." She stressed also that no one may bring their own alcoholic beverage into the social district at any time ever.
On the City of Shelby's website, it is also noted that a "...single patron may purchase any combination of the following at one time: 1.) two beers, or 2.) two wines, or 3.) one wine and one beer, or 4.) one mixed drink, as per N.C. Gen. Stat. 18B-300.1 (e)(3) and 18B-1010."
Bostic also stated that in authorizing municipalities to create social districts, the N.C. General Assembly "...also created specific requirements
to be followed in creating and enforcing social districts." She added, "While every town may have different designs or
setups, many of the programs, policies, and standards are the same throughout North Carolina. In researching this program to see if it would be a good fit for Uptown Shelby, I have spoken with representatives at the City of Lenoir, the City of Hickory, and the City of Kannapolis."
By way of giving additional information on the Shelby Social District, Ms. Bostic said any businesses in the Uptown Shelby Municipal Service District boundaries are eligible to go to the City of Shelby Social District web page and fill out an application.
She continued, "They have four choices to choose from that best serves their business - Sold Here: Drinks are available for purchase at this establishment; Welcomed Here: Drinks are welcome in this non-ABC permitted establishment; Not Permitted Here: Drinks are prohibited and unavailable for purchase; Sold Here + NO Outside Beverages: this ABC-permitted establishment participates but does not allow outside drinks in their business. There is signage placed within the Uptown Shelby Social District. This signage includes guidelines of the Social District, as well as when you are leaving the district."
Bostic noted a person, or persons, may report anyone breaking the regulations of the social district by calling the Shelby Police Department's non-emergency number at (704) 484-6845, or, in case of a true emergency and when an immediate response is needed, they can call 911 to report the details of the crime you witness, she said.
As per the City of Shelby's website, all businesses located within the social district have the option to "opt out" of the district, and don't have to allow alcohol within their place of business. Signage will be provided to all businesses to clearly indicate their status within the district, noted the City's website.
For more information on the Uptown Shelby Social District, visit www.cityofshelby.com/about/uptown-shelby-social-district.