Businesses prepare for festivities

by Lauren McDowell
Staff Writer

Uptown business owners are preparing for Saturday’s Halloween festivities by changing their hours, heightening security and offering holiday specials.

Wendy’s, 40 S. Court Street, plans to remain open until the last customer leaves on Saturday night or Sunday morning, owner Jim Harris said. He estimates closing time will be about 6 a.m. Sunday.

Morgan Yates, general manager of Jimmy John’s, 18 S. Court St., said the store also would add hours, running 24 hours a day starting Friday. The restaurant will close at 4 a.m. Monday.

Although many restaurants increase their hours, several Uptown business owners plan to close early Saturday.

Mail Boxes Etc, 14 S. Court St., will close early Friday at 5 p.m. and will not conduct any business on Saturday, owner Larry Shipley said.

"I learned two years ago that there isn’t any reason to be open," Shipley said.

Eric Coon, sales associate for Cornwell Jewelers, 10 S. Court St., said his store also will close early because of the street closing. People are not in the mind-set to buy jewelry, he said.

Another concern of Uptown businesses is the vast number of people wanting to use restroom facilities, Wendy’s owner Harris said. The restaurant will have out-of-town personnel to monitor security this weekend.

In past years Wendy’s restrooms have been vandalized, he said. Destruction of the sinks caused $10,000 in water damage during a past Halloween block party.

Jimmy John’s also will monitor the use of its restrooms, Yates said. Managers will require all patrons to purchase food at the store and show identification before they are allowed to use the facilities.

Many of the bars on Court Street also have concerns about crowds and restroom use, said Debbie Clary, owner of The Red Brick Tavern Restaurant, 14 N. Court St. Her bar will enforce a cover charge after 10 p.m. to deter people from only using the restrooms. Tom VanDyke, manager at The Pub, 39 N. Court St., said his solution to the crowds is to add more staff. The bar will have two bouncers at the front door and one at the back, a precaution not necessary on normal weekends.

Despite these concerns, many businesses are planning contests and specials for the weekend.

Follett’s University Bookstore, 63 S. Court, will celebrate Halloween by hosting a costume contest Friday, manager Todd Wood said. Customers who wish to participate should visit the store in costume and have their picture taken.

Employees of the store, who are required to dress up for the holiday, will judge the costumes, Wood said. Winners will receive gift certificates and other prizes.

The Red Brick Tavern Restaurant will celebrate Halloween with a special drink, "Buddha’s Black Brew," Clary said.