NABC’s company party was at Connor’s Place yesterday, and it was a strange sensation to be watching a football game, craft beer in hand and a plate of nibbles close by, on a Sunday afternoon in downtown New Albany, although to be fair, I believe that Pastime and Hugh Bir’s are usually open on Sundays, and of course Little Chef never closes.
When the Bank Street Brewhouse’s taproom opens (in February, we hope), we’re going to try Sunday hours in a yet-to-be-determined format. Overall, as in so many other areas of consideration, it’s a chicken and egg argument in that people don’t come downtown on Sunday … but, few businesses are open to attract them.
This brings us to the topic of holiday hours. With Christmas and New Year’s falling in the middle of the week this year, what hours will downtown bars and restaurants be observing?
Note that owing to the existence of an archaic Indiana state law that clearly violates the principle of church/state separation, alcoholic beverages cannot be sold on Christmas Day. ACLU, where are you when we need you most?
Yesterday Buddy Sandbach told me that the Codfather (a.k.a., Dave Himmel) has given him the okay to open Connor's Place at 2:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and tend bar until early evening, or a bit later if business merits. Food will be limited to pizza and skins. Connor's Place is located at 134 East Market Street, next to the Grand Theater in downtown New Albany.
It isn't located downtown, but for the record, NABC/Rich O's/Sportstime (3312 Plaza Drive) will be closed on both holiday eves and days: Christmas Eve and Day (December 24 & 25) and New Year's Eve and Day (December 31, January 1). Otherwise, business hours as usual.
If you know the planned holiday hours of other establishments, downtown or otherwise, including shops and stores other than bars and restaurants, please post a comment in the usual fashion and let us know. It might help boost a small business during a tough time.
No chains, please.
Destinations Booksellers will be open Christmas Eve until 7 p.m. or the last patron is served (normal business hours) and is always open on Sundays from noon to 5. We'll welcome a Bank Street companion for those future Sundays.
ReplyDeleteNew Year's Eve hours are TBD, but we're likely to be open regular hours - stop by, the parties won't start until later in the evening.
Where do I send the check for the commercial announcement, Roger?
Preston Art Center will be open on Pearl Street on Christmas Eve until 3 p.m.
ReplyDeleteNow, the serious question is this: What hours will Hing Wang be keeping?
Hing Wang (Spring Av.) will keep regular hours on Christmas Eve (close at 10:30) and will open at noon on Christmas Day. They recommend you call one hour in advance for pick-ups.
Studio's Grille will be open on Christmas Eve till at least 8 pm with specials on longneck beers and specialty shots. Also we are testing the "waters" on Sundays starting Dec. 28 with a very limited food items to purchase..
ReplyDeletecome on down kiddo's!
Apologies for my late contribution - it's been a busy week. Now I have a little catch up time since the Carnegie Center is closed today and tomorrow, as well as New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Other than those days, we will be open our usual hours of Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 - 5:30.
ReplyDeleteIf you have family in town, or time on your own to kill, please come by. Admission is free, which is certainly welcome after all the shopping. Through December 27th, you can view art by Mary Lou Hess and Carol Tobe. You can always view our permanent exhibits on the Underground Railroad and the Yenawine Dioramas.
(Thanks also, Roger, for the community service announcement! And, we are thrilled that work on the brewhouse is moving along!)