Jetton Gains New Social District

By Dave Vieser — The Cornelius Town Board unanimously approved a new social district Monday that will allow patrons to carry alcoholic beverages between participating businesses in a portion of Jetton Village Shopping Center.

The new Peninsula Village Social District is the second social district in Cornelius. The first, the Lake Norman Social District, is located in Old Town Cornelius.

The district includes three retail buildings and the civic plaza at Jetton Village. Participating businesses are Peninsula Prime, H2 Public House and Penny Lane.

Under state law and local regulations, customers may purchase alcoholic beverages in approved to-go containers from participating businesses and carry them throughout the designated district.

“The intent is to enhance the customer experience and facilitate more neighborhood-wide events in the civic plaza,” Planning Director Rox Burhans said.

Peninsula Prime owner Jim Gordon said including the civic plaza was a key part of the proposal.

“The plaza is a beautiful, peaceful site where customers can stroll or browse leisurely,” Gordon said. “We’re very excited about the potential new patrons this district will bring in.”

Gordon said the social district also could benefit businesses on the west side of Cornelius.

“We believe this will keep even more customers on the west side of town, which means they wouldn’t have to struggle with all the crosstown traffic issues,” he said.

The town has notified the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission of the district’s creation.

Social districts became possible after the North Carolina General Assembly approved legislation in 2021 allowing municipalities to designate areas where businesses may sell alcoholic beverages in approved to-go containers. The districts are intended to encourage visitors to shop, dine and attend events while supporting local businesses. The concept gained momentum as communities looked for ways to help businesses recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.