Plaza Midwood Starts the Party
Expected to launch in March, the Plaza Midwood social district will be the first of its kind to open in the City of Charlotte. The district will operate Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., following similar guidelines from other social districts around the region and state.
What are Social Districts?
In September of 2021, North Carolina passed a law opening the door for local governments to create social districts within their borders. These social districts loosen restrictions for patrons carrying open alcohol containers away from bars and restaurants where they were originally purchased. Social districts require signage, defined hours of activity, defined boundaries, and even specific cups.
Plaza Midwood will join Huntersville as the second social district operating in Mecklenburg County. Seven of the fourteen counties (Cabarrus, Catawba, Iredell, Gaston, Mecklenburg, Rowan, and Stanly) in the Charlotte Region currently have active social districts. Other areas in Charlotte that have also expressed interest in creating a social district include NoDa, South End, LoSo, and Ballantyne.
Economic Impact
Social districts will benefit those businesses operating within their boundaries. For example, the newly formed social district in Hickory (Catawba) has already provided boosts to the downtown business community. Using mobile software, city officials have noticed an uptick in foot traffic around the social district (BusinessNC). More foot traffic in the area leads to more customers patronizing local businesses.
An uptick in foot traffic also provides an opportunity to shed light on an important issue facing the Charlotte Region. In a 2023 study, out of 130 cities with populations over 200,000, Charlotte ranked near the bottom in walkability. According to a study done by Georgia State University, many Americans of all ages want to live in walkable areas. Approximately 64% of those aged between 35 and 64 want to live in a walkable community. Successful social districts will underscore the positive impacts a walkable area can produce, therefore can promote investment in walkable infrastructure that is needed in the region.
Above all else these social districts relay to the business community both internally and externally the importance of placemaking in the region. Social districts add one more attraction promoting an already robust quality of life. Steps in this direction will ensure that the region continues to be a destination to work, live, and play.
