SAVANNAH, GA -
While it may be too soon to start thinking about the weather on Saint Patrick's Day, businesses are already in the planning stages to get the best bang for their buck over the holiday weekend. Wednesday, business owners met with the city for some final planning.
Nathan Godley is the owner of 17 hundred 90 and he says there is a lot new information they need to know to ensure smooth sailing and happy customers, all while staying on the right side of the law.
"We came as business owners to make sure we know the rules, so that we could abide by them and make certain that the guests we have from out of town were not caught off guard by the rules and regulations that will be enforced."
And with alcohol wrist bands being reintroduced again this year, there are a lot more of them.
Starting Friday morning if you are walking around with alcohol in your hand, you must have a wrist band.
On Saturday, because the parade route is included in the entertainment zone, enforcement of the wristbands will not start until 5 P.m.
This does not elevate in any way shape or form, those serving alcohol on their property, to check from underage drinking.
But wrist bands are just the beginning. This year, the city is cracking down on illegal parking. Godley says it's hard enough to find a place to park on a regular Saturday, let alone a holiday.
"The city has always had a look the other way policy. And we understand that this year they are going to ticket everyone that is on a yellow line and town any car that impedes traffic. That seems a little excessive to me."
Then there are the road closures. From MLK-to East Broad—Broughton to Drayton---While many agree on the side of safety, Godley says it can sometimes make doing business tough.
"I was concerned about road closures. Last year it seemed like last year it took a long time for the cross time traffic to open up after the parade. The barricades stayed up till late in the afternoon."
But overall, the boom in business far outweighs all the rules of the weekend.
