The next time you grab a coffee or spend a Friday night out, you may notice stickers on shop doors reading "Open Charlotte." What's going on? Approved by City Council, Plaza Midwood has officially launched Charlotte's first-ever social district.

Plaza Midwood is a walkable Charlotte community packed with small businesses, restaurants, and an artistic atmosphere surrounded by homes ready for families.

The 16 oz stainless steel cup associated with Plaza Midwood's social district are available for purchse for $8. | Photo via City of Charlotte

A social district comprises of neighboring areas where people can walk with open, to-go containers of alcoholic drinks. Neighboring cities like Gastonia and Kannapolis already have active social districts in place.

Plaza Midwood allows customers to carry open containers of alcohol along Central Avenue, running from Two Scoops Creamery past Workman's Friend and continuing to Morningside Drive. The social district expands toward Independence Boulevard to include Pecan Avenue, Thomas Avenue, and The Plaza.

Businesses permitting or denying cups of alcohol inside will be indicated through color-coordinated stickers displayed on their storefront.

Stickers will be posted at businesses across the social district to inform customers of their participation in the social district.
| Plaza Midwood Merchants Association

Wondering about the cool cup? The 16 oz stainless steel cup is your token to participate in Plaza Midwood’s social district. You can buy the cup from any participating business, and reuse or swap undecorated and undamaged cups at all participating businesses. When you’re finished, you can take the empty cup home for future use, or if the cup is in good condition — i.e., undecorated and undamaged — you can return it to a participating business for a discount or cash reward.

Fast facts

The social district is now open 10 a.m.-10 p.m., seven days a week.
A purple sticker - businesses selling to-go cups
A green sticker - businesses allowing alcoholic drinks inside
A red sticker - businesses not permitting alcoholic drinks inside
Participating shops include CLTCH, Moxie Mercantile, Betty, Moving Mountains, Wicks & Whiskers, Spirits of Alchemy, Winnie's Boutique and Thirty-One Jane.