DOOR COUNTY (NBC 26) — On Madison Avenue on Sturgeon Bay's West Waterfront, not every business is the same when it comes to alcohol. The East side of the street is part of the city's entertainment district— meaning customers can buy a drink and take it outside. The West side of the street is not.
But that could change soon.
"We're hoping it gets approved," said Nerymar Ramirez, who co-owns Gloria's Authentic Mexican Restaurant with her husband, German, and Fernando Rangel. "It definitely has our full support."
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The restaurant, which pays tribute to German's late mother, is just down the street from Madison Avenue.
They're excited because being one of the new areas inside the district— along with Dromhus, the Downtown Farmer's Market near S. 3rd Ave. and Nebraska St. and other spaces— could mean more customers, and more alcohol sales.
"I think that's why it would be really exciting to be a part of the entertainment district," Nerymar said.
"Plus, who wouldn't want to be walking down the road with a margarita?" German added.
Megan Lundahl, is the owner and general manager at The Pearl of Door County, a retail store that has been in the district since it launched during the COVID pandemic. She also welcomes the expansion.
"We have so many fabulous restaurants and pubs," she said. "People can mix that in with their shopping and their appreciation of being outdoors."
In a Facebook post last week, Sturgeon Bay District 4 Alderman Spencer Gustafson said that the entertainment district has "become a well-used asset for our downtown businesses and visitors."
He also said that the Sturgeon Bay Police Department has not dealt with additional problems, other than a few disagreements between neighbors surrounding the issue.
Gustafson says that if the proposal makes it through committee and Common Council meetings at Sturgeon Bay City Hall, the new boundaries could be in effect by Destination Sturgeon Bay's Harvest Fest on Sept. 19.
