The Southern Pines Town Council has approved a new social district connecting Red’s Corner and The Paddock, allowing customers to carry alcoholic beverages between participating areas under established rules.
The council approved the district during its business meeting on Tuesday, July 28. The designated area will include the Red’s Corner property and the nearby Paddock Bar area.
Under the district’s rules, customers will be allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating businesses and carry those drinks within the marked boundaries. Beverages must be served in containers approved for use inside the social district.
Alcohol purchased outside the district cannot be brought into the designated area. Customers will also be prohibited from carrying drinks in unapproved containers or taking beverages beyond the district’s boundaries.
Operating Hours for the Social District
The Red’s Corner social district will operate from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Sunday hours will run from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Participating businesses will be responsible for following federal, state and local alcohol regulations. Employees must also receive training on the district’s requirements and procedures.
Businesses selling alcohol will continue to be responsible for verifying a customer’s age and determining whether that person is legally eligible to purchase an alcoholic beverage.
Rules and Security Requirements
The district’s regulations prohibit customers from providing alcohol to anyone who is underage. Disorderly conduct, threatening behavior and other violations of public-safety rules will also be prohibited.
Violations could result in an individual being removed from the district. A participating business could also have its privileges suspended, while district operations could be temporarily halted if officials determine that public safety is at risk.
Security plans include clearly posted rules and possible video surveillance of the district’s primary gathering areas where installing cameras is considered feasible.
Connecting Two Southern Pines Destinations
Red’s Corner is a two-acre outdoor gathering space featuring a beer garden, food trucks and a taproom. The business offers craft beer, wine and specialty beverages to customers who meet legal purchasing requirements.
The Paddock is located in a building behind Red’s Corner. It includes a bar and space that can be rented for private gatherings, catered events and entertainment.
Red’s Corner owner Scott Bertrand answered questions from council members during the meeting. Council member Anne Petersen had additional questions about the proposal, and Bertrand offered to meet with her to discuss those issues further.
The approval establishes a defined area where customers can move between participating locations with properly marked beverages. Businesses and customers will still be required to follow all alcohol laws and the specific operating rules adopted for the district.
Source: Original reporting by Dave Lukow for the Sandhills Sentinel.
