SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) - New Year's Eve is one of the biggest nights for business in tourism hotspot Savannah.
Those especially ready to cash in the benefits are local bar owners.
"New Year's Eve is a big deal for lots of folks, so we're trying to make everyone have the best time they can," said Andrew Ripley, co-owner of Lone Wolf Lounge in the Starland District.
Ripley said New Year's Eve is a big deal for him and his employees considering the slow season is upon us.
Crowds expected in downtown Savannah to ring in the New Year
"It's definitely a good sending-off spot," said Ripley, "I think kind of globally, everyone slows down a little bit for the beginning of January, so I think it's a nice last blast before we put things back together in the beginning of January."
The new year isn't just bringing in a slow tourism season, but a costly change for bars. The alcohol permit fee will be increased by 20%. Ripley told News 3 that he is prepared for it.
"It's part of doing business in a growing city," he said.
He criticized the city's handling of the situation though, and told News 3 that communication between officials and businesses needs to be improved.
"It hasn't increased in a long time, and there was really no warning about it. I think the best way going forward is there needs to be better communication between businesses and the city."