ASHLAND — Alex Bosley’s business, Joan’s Tavern, saw its largest single-day sales ever at Ashland’s annual Costume Crawl this year.
On Oct. 27, the annual Costume Crawl through downtown marked the first use of Ashland’s designated outdoor refreshment area, or DORA. Bosley, who has owned Joan’s Tavern for five years, said his total income from that night was up about 15% from the previous record.
“You can always feel the vibe and energy of the town, and that night was awesome,” Bosley said.
Ashland’s city council debated the DORA in April and May.
Some citizens raised concerns that the DORA was a “step in the wrong direction” for Ashland, according to previous Ashland Source reporting.
Others made the case that it would help bring business to downtown.
Still, city council unanimously approved it in May, making Ashland’s DORA the 124th in the state.
Ashland police chief David Lay told Ashland Source on Nov. 21 the Costume Crawl went smoothly.
Lay said the only issue on that night happened when people took DORA cups outside the designated, 22-acre area. He said the department took an educational approach to that, though.
Since the DORA was new, officers redirected people. Lay said they had no problems once officers told people they’d stepped outside the DORA’s bounds.
For some businesses, like Bosley’s, the first DORA event counted as a success. Bosley said, in his view, it proved that the people of Ashland could be responsible and acted as an investment into the local businesses that make up downtown.
“Most people who came in were buying DORA cups and going to the next place,” Bosley said. “It benefits everybody.”
Joan’s Tavern isn’t the only local business that saw success with the DORA in effect, according to Sandra Tunnell, the director of Ashland Main Street. Tunnell said Uniontown Brewing Co., Ohio Fire and more notched large sales during the first DORA event.
Shop Hop details
The second DORA event, a Shop Hop hosted by Ashland Main Street, takes place for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
To participate, a shopper can get a punch card at either Fig & Oak or Blue Pumpkin Boutique. The first 400 shoppers also get a Shop Hop bag.
Anytime a shopper stops in a store, they get a punch on their card. Making a purchase, gets the shopper a button.
Once a shopper finishes their card or their bag has a slew of buttons, they can either turn in the card or send a photo of the bag to Ashland Main Street. Then, they will be entered in a drawing for prize baskets.
Bosley said while his business did well at the Costume Crawl, he’s not sure how things might fare with the Shop Hop. Joan’s Tavern is a block off Ashland Main Street and is strictly 21-plus, so he’s unclear how many people will stop in.
Still, Bosley said he’s excited about the event and encourages anyone 21-and-over to pay a visit to Joan’s Tavern.
He said the DORA, in his eyes, is a community investment that provides extra encouragement to come enjoy Ashland’s downtown.
“We welcome people to come and check us out,” Bosley said. “We make all the food from scratch, we’re warm, welcoming and comfortable, and we’re excited to be part of another Shop Hop.”
