BERKLEY, MI (CBS DETROIT) – From Friday, June 7, people can walk around part of Berkley town center with an adult beverage. The program is called BOSS, which stands for Berkley Outdoor Social Scene.
Customers can order a to-go from a participating restaurant and it will be served in an approved cup. From there people can walk and shop through the center.
They hope it will bring more people to the hundreds of businesses in downtown Berkley.
“More people can enjoy our wines. It’s not just the people sitting down for dinner. We can make our table even wider,” said Zach Berg, co-owner and head cheesemonger at Mongers’ Provisions and The Rind. .
They are one of the locations participating in BOSS.
“We couldn’t have been more excited,” said Berg. “We are, we recently obtained a liquor license. So not only are we happy to have our liquor license at The Rind, where we can invite people for wine and cocktails. But then the idea is that they can take it into the streets so that this whole thing became a social district is just so exciting.”
Amici’s Kitchen and Living Room and El Patio Mexican Restaurant are also participating, and more restaurants will be added to BOSS’ social district map.
“I think it’s great. I think it’s great. I think it’s going to draw a lot of people,” said Barbara Tombrillo, a Berkley resident.
She said she’s not worried about the social district becoming too noisy.
“That can happen at any time. You don’t have to have a drink that you can walk down the street for that to happen.”
“Our downtown has minimal incidents, and we have no plans to add to that,” said Mike McGuinness, executive director of the Berkley Downtown Development Authority.
BOSS starts on June 7 and will operate all year round, seven days a week, from 11am to 10pm
McGuinness said it will be especially popular during the city’s main events, such as Berkley Pride and this Saturday’s Berkley Art Bash.
He said there are a few rules for the Berkley Outdoor Social District.
‘You want to stay within the boundaries of the social district. It’s a few blocks long. Along 12 Mile, our alleys, our public parking lots. You can go into businesses and shop and see if that business allows it.”
Cups may not be taken into a bar or restaurant where the drink is not sold, but may be taken to retailers at the discretion of each business.
McGuinness said there is a wedding dress and alterations store that may not want people walking in with their glass of wine, but other retailers are happy to let you shop with a BOSS cup.
Other rules are that customers must dispose of their used cups properly, cups must not be reused and drinks must remain within the social district boundaries, which are clearly marked with signs.
Kelly Vaughen
