By Delayna Earley
The Island News
On any given evening, people drift along Bay Street with shopping bags in one hand and dinner plans in the other.
City leaders are now considering whether a drink could join them.
Beaufort City Council continues to explore creating a downtown social district — a defined area where visitors could purchase beer or wine from participating businesses and carry it with them as they move between shops, restaurants and the waterfront.
The concept has been building since a Jan. 27 work session, when council heard from merchants, residents and community partners about whether the change could help energize downtown.
What followed wasn’t a simple yes or no.
It was urgency, curiosity and caution, often in the same breath.
‘This should already be running’
Councilman Josh Scallate made it clear he believes the city should move quickly.
“I already think this should be established and running,” Scallate said.
He pointed to other communities that adopted similar districts and reported more visitors without major public safety problems. Waiting, he suggested, doesn’t help businesses that need support now.
Scallate also questioned why proposed hours would begin at 4 p.m., arguing earlier activity might spread crowds out rather than concentrate them.
And he rejected comparisons to party destinations.
“If somebody’s going to order a pizza and they’re waiting for it and they get their drink and they also go shopping at the same time, it’s more of that than creating a Vegas Strip in a historic district,” he said.
Others want a softer start
Several of Scallate’s colleagues sounded open — but careful.
Councilman Mitch Mitchell said a slower rollout could help residents understand what the district is and what it is not.
“It’s kind of like easing into the water versus one big splash,” Mitchell said.
Mayor Philip Cromer said he continues to hear from people with questions about how it would work in practice.
What merchants are weighing
Business owners downtown are also divided, though many say they are intrigued.
Joe O’Brien of Monkey’s Uncle has previously indicated that retailers were generally receptive to the idea and that he views it as a way to create a welcoming atmosphere rather than a party scene.
At Carolina Me Crazy, assistant manager Rita Stockwell has pointed to existing events such as First Friday, saying the store already sees stronger traffic when people are walking, browsing and spending time downtown.
Nan Sutton, who owns Lulu Burgess, has said she believes a district could help people feel more comfortable moving up and down the street and might add energy at a time when some businesses are still feeling pressure from construction and slower seasons.
But not everyone is convinced.
Lisa Mykleby of M Home and Garden has questioned whether shoppers who are drinking are likely to make the kinds of purchases her store depends on, raising concern that the impact may not be equal across retail categories.
Jake Higgins, owner of Blackstone’s Cafe, said Beaufort already operates like a social district.
“This isn’t a downtown of corporate headquarters,” Higgins said. “It’s food, shopping and drinks. That’s why people come.”
He supports showcasing what makes the city unique but said the focus should be broader than alcohol alone.
“It’s not just about walking and drinking,” he said. “It’s about enjoying downtown — the streets, the views, the music. The whole experience.”
Higgins added that any expansion should match the city’s ability to support it.
“As long as the infrastructure — parking, safety, street services — can handle it,” he said.
Other merchants have said they want firmer answers on cleanup, enforcement and participation before they take a side.
Residents: Measure it
During the January meeting, residents lined up with opinions that ranged from enthusiastic to wary.
Rob Cahill, who lives on Water Street, described himself as “wildly enthusiastic” and urged council to try the program and gather real information.
“Do the pilot, get the data and let it inform future decisions,” he said, while also flagging restroom availability.
Joe Mack supported a vibrant downtown but said alcohol inevitably raises questions.
“The tool is alcohol,” Mack said. “I’m interested to see how it works, but I’m cautious.”
Students want connection
Angela Simmons, vice chancellor for student development at University of South Carolina Beaufort, told council students are looking for belonging as much as entertainment.
“They don’t necessarily need to go out and drink,” Simmons said. “What they want is a space that is not their residence hall space.”
Students have asked for more communication about events, outdoor gathering spots, late-night coffee options and ways to feel welcome downtown.
“They really do want to be engaged with the life of downtown,” she said. “They just need something to feel that they can go to.”
What the pilot could include
The draft model presented to council would create a 90-day trial featuring beer and wine, designated cups, marked boundaries and optional participation for businesses, along with police oversight.
Afterward, the city would evaluate impacts before deciding whether to continue.
The bigger question … beyond cups and boundaries, City Council is weighing how to support commerce while preserving the feel of a place many residents call home.
Delayna Earley, who joined The Island News in 2022, formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.