Some Businesses Thrive On Thanksgiving Eve

SEBRING - All you had to do on Thanksgiving Eve was head down U.S. 27 and pass by local bars to see that it's one of the busiest nights of the year for partygoers.

Recent statistics provided by restaurant and bar associations say that most drinking establishments can expect a 25 to 50 percent increase over a typical Wednesday night.

At Duffers Sports Grille, 6940 U.S. 27, vehicles were parked on the side of the highway and parking
attendants were brought in to guide drivers.

"It's the biggest night of the year we have," said Duffers manager Dianne Rose. "Our workers probably won't get home until 5 a.m."

Besides bringing in parking attendants, Duffers set up portable bathrooms outside and cleared out what was normally a dining area inside to make room for space. They also set up an extra bar next to the dance floor.

"All of the kids who are in college, or who are younger adults come home (for Thanksgiving)," said Rose, who had extra staff and security come in for the night. "It's like a reunion for them. People don't have to work in the morning, so they come out and see their friends."

"It's the one time per year when everyone is home," said Jarred Mills, who was enjoying himself at Duffers. Mills, a 1997 Lake Placid High School graduate, currently lives in St. Petersburg. "It's like a class reunion. I come every year for it."

Amanda Nickerson, Courtney Redding and Jamie Waskiewitz made the trip from Wauchula to Duffers so they could visit their friends.

"You expect to see a lot more people than you normally do, so it's a fun night to go out," said Waskiewitz, who said she's made Thanksgiving Eve at Duffers a tradition since turning 21.

Just north of Duffers, Paul's Harbor Side was a popular stop for people.

"We expect much larger crowds than normal on the night before Thanksgiving," said Harbor Side head bartender Lacey Thomas. "I've know from previous bar experience that it's probably the biggest night of the year."

Thomas said that she expected a 50 percent patron increase over typical nights.

"It gives people a chance to party a little bit before they go and hang out with their family," said Thomas.

The story was the same at the Blue Lagoon Saloon, south of Duffers and the Harbor Side, on U.S. 27.

"The day before Thanksgiving is always awesome," said bartender Amy Roberts. "We're always busier. I think the only other days that compare to it are maybe Christmas Eve and St. Patrick's Day."

"You couldn't ask for a better combination leading to people to people going out. Everyone is back in town visiting their family, and they don't have to get up and go to work or do anything in the morning," said Roberts.

Besides bars, Thanksgiving Eve is also a busy night for another industry. People who don't feel like cooking a big meal the day before they're going to eat one, and the partygoers who want something to munch on before and after they come home from the bar typically order out.

Domino's Pizza recently released statistics saying that the company's sales also increase 50 percent on Thanksgiving Eve compared to other nights.

A spokesperson for Papa John's International, out of Louisville, Ky., said that only New Year's Eve, the Super Bowl and Halloween have higher pizza sales than Thanksgiving Eve.