Who wouldn’t want to visit a place where all the locals love to go?
Coming this summer, the Town of Apex is excited to introduce The Local Spot – Apex’s first established social district. Our downtown social district will invite you to sip, shop, stroll, and socialize in a new way.
What is a Social District?
Social districts have grown in popularity since 2021, when the North Carolina General Assembly passed a law allowing municipalities to create specific areas where patrons can carry to-go alcoholic beverages. There are now more than 50 social districts in operation across the state including several in Wake County (as well as many others across the country), and The Local Spot in downtown Apex will be the newest.
How does it work?
Downtown visitors can buy a beverage from an ABC-permitted business to enjoy as they walk around designated areas of downtown. The North Carolina law that allows social districts also lays out a set of rules to follow:
Designated Boundaries: The Local Spot social district encompasses the public walkways and thoroughfares on several key streets in downtown Apex. Keep an eye out for clearly marked signs at all entrance and exit points indicating the district boundaries. A boundary map will be published soon on the town’s website (www.apexnc.org/LocalSpot).
Set Operating Hours: Visitors can enjoy The Local Spot every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Participating Businesses: Within The Local Spot boundaries, businesses can choose to allow the consumption of beverages within their establishments, even if they don’t sell drinks themselves. A full list of businesses, along with their social district designation, will be maintained on the town’s website.
Special Beverage Containers: To clearly identify the cups as part of The Local Spot, alcoholic beverages for off-premises consumption must be in non-glass containers that hold no more than 16 fluid ounces. The Local Spot cups are also required to display the district logo, clearly identify where the beverage was purchased, and include the statement “Drink Responsibly — Be 21.”
The new social district is also designed with sustainability and cleanliness in mind — cups will be recyclable, and the town will place additional recycling bins within the district boundaries.
Beverages purchased from approved, ABC-permitted businesses in the official social district cup can be enjoyed within the district boundaries, during the approved hours. Signs within the district will mark its boundaries.
You’re Invited
The downtown social district will welcome visitors and boost our local businesses for years to come, and we want you to be a part of it! Stay tuned to www.apexnc.org/localspot for more details and the announcement of the official launch date.
