Date of release: June 1, 2021
The Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control notified the City of Paducah today that the Downtown Entertainment Destination Center (EDC) is approved. The State-issued EDC license will boost existing restaurant and hospitality industries by allowing customers to take to-go alcoholic drinks in designated cups from participating businesses and stroll our historic streets, browse the windows of our local boutiques, watch boats and barges on the Ohio River, and partake in outdoor events.
Mayor George Bray said, “I have received an incredible amount of positive feedback about the development of the downtown Entertainment Destination Center. Our unique downtown is at the core of Paducah’s identity and having an EDC is another amenity that allows citizens and tourists to enjoy our historic district. It is a tool that will strengthen downtown businesses and restaurants and support their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Paducah Main Street Director Katie Axt said, “Downtown Paducah is ready to emerge from a difficult year and offer folks new ways to be entertained while continuing to strengthen existing local businesses and attract new entrepreneurs. The Entertainment District builds upon 20 years of revitalization and redevelopment initiatives and is the next big project for Western Kentucky. We welcome all to walk, shop, and dine their way through downtown Paducah this summer.”
The City of Paducah is thrilled to announce that Paducah Bank is sponsoring Paducah’s Entertainment Destination Center. The Paducah Bank logo is proudly displayed on the to-go cups.
“Paducah Bank shares in the excitement of Paducah being designated with an Entertainment Destination Center in the downtown district,” said Paducah Bank President Mardie Herndon. “This opportunity will certainly provide new energy and new levels of interest to our shops and restaurants downtown. We are happy that we can support this vibrant new idea with Main Street. We applaud Paducah for bringing the WOW to our beautiful downtown.”
There are 20 eligible bars and restaurants in the EDC. The City is finalizing agreements with the participating businesses. Each participating bar or restaurant in the EDC will be ready to offer this new service once they receive the designated to-go cups that they have ordered.
Paducah Beer Werks Owner Todd Blume supports the EDC and is coordinating the procurement of the single-use to-go cups for many of the participating downtown businesses.
“As we come out of the pandemic economy, we are seeing changes in how business functions. The EDC is a perfect segue for people to enjoy our downtown and riverfront. This is an opportunity for our businesses to create new events that showcase what our beautiful city has to offer,” said Blume.
The EDC hours are daily from 6 a.m. until midnight. Alcoholic beverages are allowed only on public property within the EDC district. Signs have been installed in downtown Paducah to assist patrons in locating the EDC boundary.
The process to receive the EDC license included the Paducah Board of Commissioners’ approval of an ordinance outlining the program area and guidelines along with a 30-day public notice and comment period.
In August of 2016, the State of Kentucky adopted legislation allowing municipalities to create local EDC’s in the tourism and convention districts. Several municipalities have passed local ordinances including Owensboro, Louisville, Lexington, Morehead, Covington, Maysville, Midway, Bellevue, Somerset, Corbin, and the CVG Airport.
For a list of frequently asked questions and a map, visit Entertainment Destination Center.
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