CARMEL A new program in Carmel is giving residents and visitors more flexibility when it comes to enjoying a drink downtown.

For the past several months, the city has been testing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, which allows customers to purchase an alcoholic beverage from a participating business and carry it within a set boundary.

Drinks must be served in specially designed aluminum cups that clearly indicate they are part of the program.

Local businesses say the change has boosted sales.

You can get old-fashioned in a cup now where you just couldn't do any of those kinds of things so my sales have increased, said Jeff Blair, owner of Fork and Ale House in Carmel's Midtown.

Blair said the aluminum cups cost more than plastic, but he sees value in them.

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