New Year’s Eve ringing up big sales for local businesses

Local businesses are ringing up big sales just ahead of ringing in the new year.

On New Year’s Eve, Santa Maria area businesses were full of customers getting ready for 2019 to arrive.

“Today it’s been pretty nuts,” said Woody’s Butcher Block owner Tim Woodbury. “It started out kind of slow in the morning, but as it’s progressed, it’s really picked up. It’s going to be a very good day.”

Customers poured in the Main Street business, opting to stay home instead of a night out on the town.

“There’s nothing like a good home-cooked dinner anyway and a barbecue, especially Santa Maria style is always appropriate, so that’s why we went with the filet for dinner,” said customer Rob Pybas.

While Pybas and other Woody’s customers are staying home on New Year’s, many others are heading to local restaurants, bars and hotels.

“We are sold out to capacity for the event tonight,” said Radisson Hotel sales director Karen Gridiron. “They always come for a great experience and they look forward to spending their New Year’s Eve night with us.”

Radisson Hotel is set to host its annual New Year’s Eve bash in its main ballroom.

The event features popular local band, “Steppin’ Out,” as well as dinner and dancing and is expected to draw 250 party goers.

All across Santa Maria, restaurants are also expecting big business.

At restaurants such as Shaw’s, The Swiss and Cool Hand Luke’s, tables will be difficult to come by.

“It’s going to be busy tonight,” said Cool Hand Luke’s general manager Shelley McKinney. “We have a lot of large groups coming in. Plenty of couple celebrating the New Year’s, ready to have a fresh start.”

McKinney added New Year’s Eve is always a busy night no matter what day of the week it falls on.

She doesn’t forecast any drop-off this year even though the day lands on a weeknight.

“We work when everybody plays, so we’re always here every holiday, always open, ready to serve and so coming off last year’s New Year’s Eve, looking at the numbers, we expect to beat out last year’s numbers,” said McKinney.

For many New Year’s Eve revelers, the night wouldn’t be complete without uncorking a bottle of champagne.

“I don’t know where it came from, the tradition, but that’s the way it is, so I’m just here to get some champagne for midnight, have a good party and enjoy the New Year’s,” said Steve Kreyer while shopping at BevMo.

For places that sell the bubbly, like BevMo, this day is one of their busiest of the year.

“I’m more of a beer person, so I don’t know much about champagne, but I go for price. The better the price, the better the champagne I’m thinking.”

With New Year’s Day an official holiday for many, businesses are also set to cash in on Tuesday too.

“A lot of people are off,” said McKinney. “It helps out. We’re looking forward to it. We expect to be busy.”