Aurora joins the Dry January movement with restaurants and bars offering mocktails and more
The city of Aurora is starting the new year by supporting Meharry Medical College and the Dry January USA Initiative.
With an official first-of-its-kind proclamation, Aurora Mayor Richard C. Irvin designated the first month of the year as Dry January Month in the state's second-largest city.
“The health and well-being of our community are of paramount importance, and encouraging healthy lifestyle choices is a shared responsibility,” Irvin said.
He was joined in that shared responsibility by local business representatives, restaurant and bar owners, and medical students who attend Meharry Medical College.
In 2022, Meharry Medical College, an HBCU in Nashville, Tennessee, became the officially licensed home for Dry January USA. Dry January and Meharry are working to shift attitudes about alcohol consumption and enhance health equity in the U.S. Alcohol is one of the top three leading causes of preventable death in the United States.
“We are focused on serving the underserved, and that includes people who are thinking about their relationship with alcohol,” said Samhita Ravi, a second-year medical student at Meharry Medical College who visited Aurora for the proclamation.
Research shows that a month off alcohol leads to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes risk, all things that disproportionately impact minority communities.
“The city of Aurora continues to inspire its community through initiatives that resonate on so many levels,” said Bernie Laskowski, owner of Craft Urban Restaurant in downtown Aurora. “We enjoy the creative challenges and opportunities this brings to our restaurant community and help people understand health and wellness are obtainable.”
Craft Urban is one of many restaurants offering mocktails and alcohol-free drinks this month and throughout the year.
“As we begin a new year, many people think about starting the year with new wellness habits,” Irvin said. “We are proud to bring awareness to the Dry January initiative by encouraging residents and visitors who are participating to get out and enjoy the great establishments in Aurora where they can find options like mocktails, healthy foods, and much more.”