The Town of Benson has authorized a social district in an effort to increase vibrancy and economic activity in the downtown area. This initiative aligns with the legislation enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly, which permits municipalities to designate specific areas where alcoholic beverages, purchased from licensed ABC permittees, can be consumed throughout the district. This approach has already been successfully implemented in various towns and cities across the state, enhancing both the social and economic landscapes of these communities.

The Town of Benson's Social District area is the Printer Drive Alleyway Social Space and the surrounding block (highlighted in yellow below).

Within this defined district, visitors can sip on their favorite beer or wine outdoors from two participating locations in downtown — Fainting Goat Brewing Company (102 W. Parrish) and Salvaged Heirlooms (103 W. Main). They can also enjoy a beverage in the Printer Drive Alleyway Social Space — centrally located inside the social district.

BOUNDARY LINES:

• West Main Street from South Railroad Street to South Ellis Drive 

• South Railroad Street from West Main Street to West Parrish Drive

• South Ellis Drive from West Parrish Drive to West Main

SOCIAL DISTRICT HOURS:

• Tuesday - Wednesday — 1pm - 8pm 

• Thursday - Saturday — 1pm - 10pm 

• Sunday — 1pm - 6pm

Look for this signage to see if you are within the Town of Benson Social District boundaries / Cup sticker example.

SOCIAL DISTRICT DO'S & DON'TS 

DO'S

• Have fun but be responsible and respectful.

• Order a drink in a “TOB Social District Container” from an establishment in the social district with a white TOB SD decal.

• Enjoy your drink throughout the social district boundaries.

• Take your drink inside of establishments that allow drinks in, as indicated by window signage (blue banner).

• Dispose of your beverage cup before exiting the social district or entering your vehicle.

• Follow all rules associated with the social district.

DON'TS

• DON’T bring your own alcohol.

• DON’T bring your own cup or refill your social district cup.

• DON’T take social district beverages outside of the social district boundaries, indicated by “No Alcohol Beyond This Point” signage.

• DON’T consume a drink in the social district that was not served in the designated social district cup with a sticker.

• DON’T ignore “No Alcohol Beyond This Point” signage at special events.

• DON’T assume that every business is participating. Please check for the appropriate decals before entering (examples below). If there is no decal, then no entry is allowed. 

DOOR/WINDOW DECALS

Door/window decals will be displayed on business entrances to identify their status:

• GREEN = for businesses with a licensed ABC permit authorized to sell and distribute alcohol

• BLUE = for non-ABC permitted businesses that welcome alcoholic drinks in their establishments

• RED = for businesses that do not want alcoholic beverages in their establishments

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

Purchase a Social District drink from these PARTICIPATING businesses : 

• Salvaged Heirlooms - 103 W. Main Street

• Fainting Goat Brewing Company - 102 W. Parrish Drive 

Businesses inside the Social District NOT PARTICIPATING (no alcohol sales/no alcohol allowed inside):

• Cornerstone Cafe & Coffee - 101 W. Main Street

• Professional Eye Care - 113 W. Main Street

• Barefoot Insurance Agency - 102. S. Railroad Street

• Parrish Fire and Safety - 104 S. Railroad Street