Business owners in downtown Baroda are hailing the village council’s approval of a new social district, enabling visitors to carry alcoholic beverages between participating establishments within specified boundaries.
The council approved the district this week and Greg Borr, the co-owner of TJ’s Baroda Tap, tells us he’s hoping this will result in more robust business this summer.
“Friday and Saturday nights during the summer, we tend to run a 30, 45 minute wait,” Borr said. “Instead of folks leaving, maybe taking their business to another community, they’ll hopefully take a cocktail to go, go down the street, maybe visit a gallery, or just sit on a bench and wait and hang out in a nice night of weather. We try to keep that revenue in town”
Borr says the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber was a big help preparing the proposal for the district, and he’s thankful the village council saw its value.
“All the data coming back, they’re safe, they’re family friendly, and ultimately, the data we have is they’ll increase foot traffic and increase people coming to town.”
Several businesses are planning to take part in the social district.
“We have Golden Muse Winery and they also have an art gallery in the back of their business that I don’t think a lot of people know about. There is Baroda Founders, Connie’s…and ourselves, TJ’s Baroda Tap, all participating. And then there’s the other one, Baroda Soda, ice cream shop, coffee shop, there is Schaller Gallery. Baroda Mills, and I’m sure I’m missing countless other places that are open in the afternoons, evenings, that folks can go browse.”
Social districts were created under state law during the COVID pandemic as a way to help businesses offer more outdoor options to customers. Since then, several Berrien County communities have established social districts, including St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, and Bridgman.
Borr says the new social district in Baroda will be a benefit to the entire community.
