The City of Stillwater is exploring the establishment of a social district in its downtown area, aiming to enhance community engagement and support local businesses. Authorized by the Minnesota Legislature in 2024, this initiative would allow individuals to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages within a designated area.
A social district is a specific part of the city where people can buy alcoholic drinks from licensed establishments and enjoy them while walking through the defined area. The proposed district would likely be centered on downtown Stillwater, extending from the river a few blocks westward, with exact boundaries to be determined.
To gather community input, the city has launched a survey and scheduled a public open house. The survey is available online, and the open house is set for Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Margaret Rivers Room in the Stillwater Library. Residents and business owners are encouraged to participate and share their thoughts on the proposal.
Feedback collected during June and July will be presented to the City Council at their meeting on August 5. If the decision is made to proceed, a pilot program could be launched in the fall of 2025, with a full season potentially beginning in the spring of 2026.
For more information and to participate in the survey, visit the city’s official website.