Carmel staff outlines how DORA will work for businesses and festivals

City staff described the rollout of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in Carmel and how businesses can participate, including state permitting, cup requirements and signage ahead of upcoming festivals.

City staff member Kelly Douglas told attendees the DORA will use a single, state‑approved cup and a system of business stickers to show whether establishments accept drinks from the DORA district. "The blue one is for businesses that are selling a beverage; the green sticker means DORA is welcome, the red means DORA is not welcome," Douglas said. She said the state application and permitting process runs through the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) website.

Why this matters: DORA changes where patrons may carry alcoholic beverages in the district and affects retail and festival operations. Staff emphasized that the program aims to boost foot traffic for restaurants and shops while using signage and receptacles to manage litter and compliance.

Staff details and business guidance Kelly Douglas said the city will give participating businesses sample cups and that local festivals will be able to operate without cordoning off multiple beverage zones once the DORA is in place. Douglas said businesses should consult the ATC website for application steps and that the city cannot provide certain details because state law limits what municipalities may say about cup procurement. "You apply it through the state," she said, referring to the ATC application process.

Douglas gave practical guidance: the city will distribute informational materials and businesses can display a colored sticker to signal whether they accept DORA beverages; exit points from the DORA will include signage reminding people to finish or dispose of cups before leaving the district. She said city staff and festival organizers expect that allowing beverages to be carried in the district will increase time spent downtown and help merchants capture customers who otherwise might leave while waiting for a table.

Business reaction and logistics Douglas cited one example from a restaurant owner, Jeff Blair of Fork & Ale, saying the owner reported patrons lingered in the district instead of leaving during long waits, creating more incidental foot traffic. Douglas also said suppliers Cisco and GFS are handling cup production and that businesses will need to order additional cups beyond the initial samples the city provides. "I know in one group that they went through 400 cups in one weekend, and we were buying them by the case, and we're giving you 600," she said.

Questions and next steps Douglas told attendees that permit fees and the detailed application form are posted on the ATC website and encouraged businesses with specific legal questions to consult counsel or contact ATC. The city will publish maps, FAQs and signage details online so businesses can see district boundaries and exit points before major events.

Caveats and enforcement Douglas emphasized the DORA is governed by state rules and a permit process; the city distributes information and coordinates signage and receptacles but does not issue the alcohol permit itself. Businesses must decide individually whether to participate and to follow state licensing and local rules for serving alcohol.

For more information: city staff said a QR code and the city website will host the DORA map, the FAQ and links to the state ATC application.