For decades, the heart of Cambridge has been its rich sense of history. From our beautifully preserved downtown streetscape to the annual magic of the Dickens Victorian Village, this community knows how to welcome visitors and celebrate its heritage. But as retail trends shift and neighboring communities find innovative ways to boost their local economies, we must ask ourselves an important question: Is our downtown doing everything it can to thrive after 5:00 PM?
Right now, the City Council has a powerful, proven tool at its disposal to answer that question with a resounding “yes.” It is time for Cambridge to approve a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA).
To be clear, a DORA is not a green light for uncontrolled public drinking. Under Ohio law, it is a highly regulated, legally defined walkability initiative. It allows adults of legal age to purchase an alcoholic beverage from a participating licensed restaurant or tavern and carry it outdoors within a strict boundary—in our case, the historic Wheeling Avenue corridor. Drinks must be served in specific, approved DORA cups, and open containers in vehicles remain strictly illegal.
This is not a theoretical experiment or a radical idea. In fact, Cambridge is actually falling behind a massive statewide trend. There are now more than 160 communities across Ohio successfully utilizing DORAs. Look no further than our own neighbors in East-Central and Southeastern Ohio: Coshocton, St. Clairsville, Dennison, New Philadelphia, Marietta, and Zanesville have all safely embraced the concept.
Just 25 miles down the interstate, our neighbors in Zanesville have already proven the concept. Zanesville implemented a DORA in its downtown district and has been operating it successfully for several years. Rather than causing disruptions, it has become a cornerstone of their downtown revitalization. Residents and visitors alike use the Zanesville DORA to stroll between shops, enjoy local art, and listen to live music at their own pace. Meanwhile, up the road in Coshocton—an early implementer of the program—Mayor Mark Mills could not be happier with the results. It has seamlessly connected their Main Street businesses with local historic attractions, proving that a DORA can protect local character while fueling a modern economy. Community feedback from similar small Ohio towns notes that DORAs directly correlate with large increases in evening foot traffic and a decline in vacant storefronts.
If Cambridge implements a well-planned DORA, the tangible benefits for our historic downtown would be substantial:
- Prolonged Visitor Stays: A DORA naturally changes consumer habits. Instead of having dinner and immediately driving home, patrons are incentivized to linger in the historic district.
- A “Rising Tide” for Retail: Retailers and non-hospitality businesses benefit directly from restaurant traffic. When visitors can carry a DORA-approved beverage, they are far more likely to walk down Wheeling Avenue, window-shop, and browse local boutiques.
- Elevated Event Atmosphere: Existing community staples—like the Dickens Victorian Village, Classic Car and Bike Shows, Main Street Events and the Courthouse light Show— will feel more like expansive, destination-worthy events.
- A Crucial Competitive Edge: To attract young professionals and out-of-town weekenders, our downtown must compete with neighboring entertainment districts. A DORA signals that Cambridge is vibrant, welcoming, and open for business.
It is entirely natural for residents to have concerns about public safety, litter, and maintaining our city’s historic character. These are valid points that deserve careful planning. However, the beauty of a DORA is that the boundaries, hours, and rules are completely set and enforced locally. A well-designed safety plan, coordinated with local law enforcement and paired with proactive trash management, ensures that outdoor consumption is actually more controlled than the informal drinking that already occurs daily or around major events.
The strongest argument for this initiative is not that Cambridge simply “wants open drinking.” The argument is that Cambridge wants a walkable, vibrant downtown entertainment district that fiercely supports its small businesses, hospitality industry, and tourism.
Our local restaurants, breweries, and retailers are the backbone of our local economy. Let’s give them the competitive edge they deserve. We urge the City Council to approve the DORA framework and help write the next prosperous chapter for historic downtown Cambridge.
That’s our opinion. What’s yours?
Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by AVC News
