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Downtown business owners tell Amherst committee DORA trial boosted sales
Summary
Multiple downtown proprietors told the committee DORA events increased foot traffic and sales; one owner reported a 10'15% lift and others urged a limited trial with clear scheduling and measurements.
Business owners and Main Street volunteers told the Ordinance Committee they supported a temporary DORA expansion, saying daytime and early-evening hours increased foot traffic and retail sales. At the public microphone, a representative for 5 Points Tavern said a small, informal survey of local customers found broad support; Judy Recnagle, owner of The Mermaid's Tale, reported "a 10 to 15% extra sales" during DORA evenings. Stacy Recknagle, who works at Mermaid's Tale and volunteers at Lorraine Palace Theatre, said she had "never had any incidents" related to the DORA at events she staffed.
Speakers recommended measurable benchmarks for a trial: track revenue, foot traffic, and public-safety metrics, and define a consistent schedule so businesses and patrons know when DORA is active. Several commenters asked that smaller events not be priced out by policing charges and sought clarity on cup procurement and minimum order quantities, which some said had been handled through Main Street.
