City Council Renews Wilmington's DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area)

Wilmington DORA map

At the October 16, 2025, Wilmington City Council Meeting, city council members voted to renew the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) for downtown Wilmington.

During the judiciary portion of the meeting, Councilman Josh Schlabach brought up the renewal of Ordinance 25-60. The ordinance passed with the votes as follows:

• David Nanstad - Yes

• Michael Snarr - Yes

• Don Wells - Absent

• Bob Osborn - No

• Jamie Knowles - Yes

• Joshua Schlabach - Yes

• Kelly Tolliver - Yes

According to the Ohio Department of Commerce, DORA is a "specified area of land that a local legislative authority (city council) has designated as exempt from certain open container provisions." Individuals who purchase a beverage with a DORA sticker are able to take their alcoholic beverage in the designated area. It is permitted seven days a week, year around, anytime between noon and midnight.

Main Street Wilmington's website says individuals can purchase drinks from the following businesses:

• American Legion (140 East Locust Street)

• The Eagles (141 East Sugartree Street)

• The Escape (36 West Sugartree Street)

• Fiesta Veracruz (37 West Locust Street)

• The General Denver (81 West Main Street)

• Mediterranean Restaurant (53 East Main Street)

• Ole Town Tavern (26 N. South Street)

• TinCap Cidery (59 West Sugartree Street)

• Venice Wine Co. (64 West Main Street)

The conversation to initiate a DORA began in the summer of 2020, lead by Jason Vaughan, Owner of TinCap. As reported by Wilmington News Journal, when promoting the initiative, Vaughan stated that it would "help stimulate business growth," as it allows customers to purchase a drink from local restaurants and take the drink with them to local shops and businesses. The initiative passed that September and was required to be reviewed five years later.

The current legislation reads, "An Ordinance Renewing A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) In The City Of Wilmington, Ohio

WHEREAS, on September 17th, 2020, Wilmington City Council adopted Ordinance O-20-40 establishing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 4301.82; and

WHEREAS, ORC Section 4301.82 requires review and reauthorization of a DORA after a five-year period; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with ORC Section 4301.82, notice of the date and time of the public meeting regarding the renewal Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area was duly provided, and said meeting was held on October 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM, allowing for public comment and review of the application;

WHEREAS, the renewal of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area will serve to enhance the experiences of patrons of City business establishments and the attendees of special events held within the City..."

The remainder of the ordinance details the specifics of the ordinance, including a safety plan, sanitation plan, and the streets where DORA is in effect. The full ordinance can be found on the city's website.

For more information about Wilmington City Council, visit wilmingtonohio.gov.