Happenings in the Heart of the Bull City
November 2022
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- News
- Event Highlights
- Biz Briefs
- Hello & Goodbye
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- Ambassador Stories
- Clean & Safe Stats
- Meetings, Trainings & Forums
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Downtown Durham is kicking off the holiday season on Saturday, December 3 with a day of shopping specials, music, live performances and the holiday tree lighting! This is also the first weekend that the Bullpen – downtown’s social district – will be in effect, so enjoy a beverage while you shop, stroll, watch and listen. Join us for a full day of holiday festivities! (Learn more about the Bullpen in the next article.) |
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Featured Event
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Full Day Schedule
11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Shop Small Downtown Durham (Again!)
Get deals and discounts in this second weekend of Shop Small specials.
The Bullpen is Open
Enjoy alcoholic beverages to-go throughout downtown from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Live Music & Performances Throughout Downtown
Music, dance and deejays at ATC, CCB Plaza, Five Points Plaza and Black Wall Street Gardens and more.
2 – 5 p.m.
Urban Ministries Food Drive @ Five Points Plaza
Drop off shelf-stable, non-perishable items to help stock the food pantry.
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Tree Lighting on CCB Plaza
Join us for this downtown Durham tradition!
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Downtown Social District Ordinance Passes Unanimously; Bullpen Launches Dec. 1 |
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On October 17, the City Council voted to create the downtown Durham social district. “The Bullpen” will operate 7 days a week, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. beginning on December 1, 2022.
What is a social district?
In short, a social district allows people to purchase alcoholic drinks in a designated Bullpen to-go cup from participating restaurants and bars, and then take that beverage outdoors within a defined area. In addition, many retailers and service providers within the social district allow customers to bring their to-go Bullpen beverages into their businesses.
How will you know which businesses are participating in the social district?
Every business should display one or more window clings indicating their level of participation in the Bullpen. It should be assumed that businesses that are not displaying a Bullpen sign are not participating.
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Business sells to-go alcoholic beverages to be consumed in the Bullpen. |
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Business allows alcoholic beverages from other business in their establishment. |
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Business does not allow beverages from other business in their establishment.
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What are the boundaries of the Bullpen?
The Bullpen boundaries roughly match the downtown Business Improvement District. The city is placing street signs at Bullpen exit points indicating that no open alcohol is allowed beyond that point. Bullpen cups must be disposed of before leaving the social district.
A Google map of the Bullpen boundary is available here. |
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What else should you know about the Bullpen?
The NC statute and city ordinance include rules for both customers and businesses that participate in the social district. More information, and a complete list of participating businesses, can be found at downtowndurham.com/bullpen.
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Important Information About the Durham Holiday Parade |
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The Durham Holiday Parade will be held on Dec. 17 at 10 a.m.
Here are details from Durham Parks & Recreation:
The parade is starting at the Health Department (Main and Dillard) and ending near Duke University East Campus (Main and Buchanan).
Holiday Parade Reminders
- There will be more than 100 units, including a host of bands and floats, and thousands of participants.
- There is no parking on Main St. on December 17, and the street will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 7 a.m. Parking violators will be towed. The roads will reopen no later than 2 p.m.
- There are three designated performance areas located near the following intersections: Mangum and Main, Chapel Hill and Main, and Duke and Main.
- There will be food vendors and temporary restroom stations located along the parade route.
- Spectators are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets. Seating will not be provided at the parade.
Event parking is available for FREE at the Chapel Hill St. Garage, Corcoran St. Garage, Church St. Garage, Morgan/Rigsbee Garage and all on-street metered parking outside of the event boundaries.
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HOLIDAY ART WALK • NOVEMBER 19-20 |
Art lovers can shop local artists, take in some live music, dine at world-class restaurants and more, all at easily strollable venues in the Durham city center.
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PINBALL TOURNAMENT • NOVEMBER 23 |
Arrive at Boxcar by 6:45 p.m. on the 4th Wednesday of every month to claim your seat to compete in a monthly pinball tournament hosted by the Triangle Pinball Players.
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DIGGIN IN THE CRATES • DECEMBER 2 |
The Underground Collective is back with a high-energy monthly party at Boricua Soul, bringing you the most popular R&B and Hip Hop, from the 80s and 90s.
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Third Friday Art Walk & Gallery Crawl
Visit galleries and other art venues downtown and beyond on November 18 and every third Friday of the month! Find a complete list of Third Friday events, and submit your own, at thirdfridaydurham.org.
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This month's featured artwork:
James Abram: Handmade ties in cotton and silk.
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Biz Briefs highlight important information for businesses in the Downtown Business Improvement District. Items are curated by the DDI Director of Business Engagement, Tiffany Bashore. Contact Tiffany for more information about anything included in this section or for assistance, questions or concerns about starting, running or growing a business in downtown Durham.
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BULLPEN WINDOW CLING DISTRIBUTION STARTS THIS WEEK |
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We are distributing window clings to all downtown businesses so they can indicate to customers their participation preference for the social district. Every business should have at least one cling to help customers know what is allowed in their establishment.
Days & Hours
- TODAY, Friday, November 18 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Monday, November 21 from 12-3 p.m.
We will walk you through which clings you need if you're unsure. Please plan to come by 307 W. Main St. today or Monday to ensure you’re ready for the Bullpen launch on Dec. 1.
If you haven't let us know your participation preference, please do so by completing the form at the link below.
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LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR SHOP SMALL & BULLPEN SPECIAL LISTED |
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Shop Small Saturday is Nov. 26, and DDI is helping drive traffic to downtown retailers by listing specials and discounts on our website and printing them on a handout to be distributed at the Discover Durham Visitor's Center.
Plus, since we'll have a big crowd downtown on the following Saturday for the tree lighting and Bullpen kickoff, we're asking retailers to offer their specials again for that Saturday. They'll also be listed on the website and printed on a handout for distribution.
Restaurants and bars, if you are offering any drink or food specials on Dec. 3 to celebrate the launch of the Bullpen, we'll add those as well.
You have until Monday, Nov. 21 to get us your specials if you want them included. Just use the appropriate link below.
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The Traffic Report Calendar lists events and happenings that may affect foot traffic and/or parking. It includes road closures and major events happening downtown.
Subscribe to the calendar or view it online for the most up-to-date information.
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DOWNTOWN VISITORS: October 2022 |
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DDI uses technology that extrapolates the number of unique visitors and visits to downtown based on cell phone data. The figures below include those who remain in the area for a minimum of seven minutes. Residents and employees are removed. The data can be filtered for smaller areas, and comparison figures are available for previous months or years. Contact Rebekah Mixon to request a custom report.
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▶ American Tobacco District
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194,400
Visits
43,897
Average Week
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132,100
Unique Visitors
Saturday
Busiest Day
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6,271
Visits Per Day
7-8 p.m.
Busiest Hour
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105,600
Visits
23,845
Average Week
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66,400
Unique Visitors
Saturday
Busiest Day
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3,406
Visits Per Day
11 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Busiest Hour
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167,200
Visits
37,755
Average Week
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106,600
Unique Visitors
Saturday
Busiest Day
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5,394
Visits Per Day
6-7 p.m.
Busiest Hour
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190,400
Visits
42,994
Average Week
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121,400
Unique Visitors
Saturday
Busiest Day
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6,142
Visits Per Day
7-8 p.m.
Busiest Hour
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46,700
Visits
10,545
Average Week
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29,600
Unique Visitors
Friday
Busiest Day
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1,506
Visits Per Day
6-7 p.m.
Busiest Hour
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▶ Government Services District
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113,800
Visits
25,697
Average Week
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69,300
Unique Visitors
Friday
Busiest Day
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3,671
Visits Per Day
10-11 a.m.
Busiest Hour
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72,100
Visits
16,281
Average Week
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45,500
Unique Visitors
Saturday
Busiest Day
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2,326
Visits Per Day
6-7 p.m.
Busiest Hour
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The following businesses recently opened or closed in downtown Durham. |
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Tattoos
120 E Parrish St. Unit 210
Contact: Justin Essing
Restaurant; Mexican
706 Ramseur St.
Contact: Favian Miranda
Coffeehouse
701 W. Main St. Ste. 130
Contact: Mike Zhu
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Barbershop
105 W. Parrish St.
Contact: ST Wagstaff
Bike/Skate Shop
104 W. Parrish St.
Contact: Adrian Fletcher
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Fall Ambassador Team Update: September 2022 |
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Erik Nystrom, Clean and Safe Operations Manager
This month, the Ambassador Team began transitioning to battery-powered equipment. We’ve been working on the process for a long time, and we’re happy to say we are moving toward using greener equipment that is better for the environment.
When you see the ambassadors out using this new equipment, please give them a wave or stop to say hello. They love to hear from you.
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Downtown Durham's dedicated Ambassador Team provides much needed clean and safe services. From sweeping and cleaning the streets, to providing directions for visitors, to jumpstarting car batteries, our ambassadors are here to help. Have questions? Just stop one and ask. Need to submit a service request? Call 919-682-BULL (2855) or submit a request online.
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Clean and Safe Service
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Trash Bags Collected
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Graffiti Removed - Paint
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Graffiti Removed - Stickers
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Customer Service (Directions, Battery Jumps, etc.)
______________________________________________
Panhandlers/Outreach/Social Service Referral
______________________________________________
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September 2022
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9,350
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144
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221
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225
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Nov. 21; Dec. 5, 19
Nov. 22; Dec. 8, 20
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Regular Meetings: 1st & 3rd Mondays at 7 p.m.
Work Sessions: Two Thursdays prior to Council meetings
at 1 p.m.
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Regular Meetings: 2nd & 4th Mondays at 7 p.m.
Work Sessions: 1st Monday at 9 a.m.
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Downtown Durham, Inc.
307 W. Main St. • #102
Durham, NC 27701
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This newsletter serves the businesses, residents and property owners
We're grateful for their support of DDI and downtown Durham.
We also thank the City of Durham for entrusting DDI to provide the BID services
that keep downtown Durham a clean, safe and vibrant place.
Want to know if an address is within the BID?
SHOP LOCAL!
Support downtown businesses with the SpendaBull gift card.
Your feedback on this newsletter is welcome.
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For up-to-the-minute information on happenings in the heart of the Bull City:
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