Monday a joint briefing was held for retailers and restaurateurs at the Columbia Police Department to discuss the influx of activities and people for the Christmas celebration over the next month. The room was full with representatives of many different businesses.
Nik Ingram with Main Street Columbia said right now it is projected that the amount of visitors coming into town will be tripled from last year. Ingram estimated more than 60,000 people visited downtown Columbia during the 2018 season.
Mayor Justin McKenzie advised a plan has been put in place with events every weekend. McKenzie encouraged restaurants to make sure they have plenty of extra staff and food.
“I know last year some restaurants ran out of food; this year we know to be better prepared. We want to give people an all-around great experience in Columbia,” he said.
Last year Columbia received $304,325 as its portion of the sales tax for December, which was a 3 percent increase from $294,994 in 2017.
Mike Lowery, store manager at Walmart in Columbia, said success depends on team work. Lowery also said the goal is for every business to be successful.
Police Chief Michal Kelly said a joint command center has been set up and will continue to be operational throughout all of the festivities. He said his staff will increase, especially on the weekends. He said they are also working on parking and handicapped parking as well.
Ingram said this year’s event will be “Disney meets Times Square meets Hollywood,” and the celebration will venture into the unknown but also remember the reason behind the season.
“Last year it seemed like Christ was left out; He will not be this year,” he said.
Lyle Bernard, assistant fire chief, said the fire department will also have extra personnel throughout the holidays.
One of things stressed at the meeting was open communication.
Ingram said on the weekends Main Street will be closed off to traffic around 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and the east side of Second Street near the Main Street intersection will be closed until the second week of January.
