Murphy – Al Squires proudly held a face mask above a “burn” barrel at The Daily Grind & Wine before dropping into the decorative flames at the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve party Thursday night.
“I already had it,” the Hayesville resident said. “I figure it’s time to get rid of it.”
Most businesses open for the occasion were COVID-full – with as many people as could safely fit and spaced, according to state mandates, with dancing to music by George & Andy + Steve at The Daily Grind or by the Andrew Chastain Band at Chevelles Restaurant & Bar.
“We are pleased with the turnout,” said Lane Schreiber, owner of The Daily Grind. “We’re definitely surprised. We didn’t know what to expect with COVID-19.”
She said the turnout was especially helpful, considering most businesses like hers use profits earned during the spring and summer tourism months to survive the winter.
“We didn’t get that this year,” Schreiber said.
She said she didn’t want to break any rules or put anyone in danger of getting sick with the party that typically Skypes with Dublin, Ireland, to celebrate the new year at 7 p.m. This year, Dublin’s restrictions prevented their typical celebrations, so The Daily Grind showed a video of a prior year’s countdown.
“If we learned anything in 2020, it’s to roll with the punches,” Schreiber said.
At both Chevelles and Bistro 29, reservations were required to maintain the appropriate number of guests. Chevelles owner Thea Butler was even asking people without reservations to set a time later in the evening to return and encouraging them to visit other businesses, like Parson’s Pub, as they waited for their reservation time.
Butler wasn’t surprised by the turnout.
“It’s New Year’s Eve,” she said. “People want to go out. They want to enjoy their life.”
Partygoers said they wanted to get out to celebrate and felt they could so safely.
As Dan Volkman of Martins Creek waited at the busy Bistro 29, he said he planned on going out for the holiday a month ago, and decided it would be safe to celebrate at Bistro.
“We wouldn’t be here if we couldn’t (be safe),” Volkman said.
According to an executive order issued Dec. 8, events in the state had to end by 10 p.m. One venue in Andrews – Jimmy’s Pick N Grin Music Hall – started its party at 8 p.m. and was sharing live videos of guests dancing the year away well past 10 p.m. The venue is owned by musician and Andrews Alderman Steve Jordan.