RALEIGH, NC (WTVD) – Business owners are grateful to end the year on a strong note as some restaurants and hotels are fully booked for New Years Eve celebrations.
“It’s going to be a busy evening as always,” said Sean Fowler, owner of the Mandolin Restaurant.
Fowler said sales at the Five Points site were doing pretty well in December.
“(I’m) cautiously optimistic. (Business is) certainly a lot better than last year, so that’s always good,” said Fowler.
Hotels are seeing a surge in guest numbers as people flock to the celebrations in downtown Raleigh. The Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh is almost sold out.
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“That’s the good thing about First Friday and what it does and getting people out of there. I think it’s going to be a good, safe event, ”said Leon Cox, general manager, Sheraton Raleigh.
The situation was very different last New Year’s Eve; The vaccine was not widely available and bars had to stop selling alcohol at 9 p.m. The places made champagne toasts long before midnight.
After the restrictions were lifted this year, people are raising their glasses.
Restaurateurs said one of the biggest challenges remains: the labor shortage.
“It’s one of our New Year’s resolutions – to hire a bunch of people,” said Fowler.
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