Question about the holidays...

Hi All--
It's Ashley, from Melillo's. I'm trying to figure out my holiday schedule and I need your help.

For foodies---do you go out to eat the weekend after Thanksgiving? We usually close the day after, and last year, closed on Saturday too (because of the numbers the year before). I've been in the business so long---I don't remember what I did before. For the weekend, do you stay in with family and friends, or like to dine out? I've been doing this for so long, I don't know what "normal" people do. ("Normal" being---people who get off work at a decent hour and go out to eat)

And, for restaurant owners/workers---what do you do? I know a lot depends on your location(if I were near the malls, I'd definitely be open), but as a rule---how's the weekend for business?

I'm really kinda torn---I don't want customers to come downtown to find out we're closed, but also, I don't want to waste money on payroll and overhead. Like I said before, we DO close the day after because the numbers are awful AND, it's Light Up Louisville, so anyone who comes downtown goes there. Two years ago, Saturday's numbers weren't great, so last year we closed.

But we tend to avoid the Mall/shopping areas, and go someplace a bit off the beaten path

We never do. We're too busy with various family dinners throughout the weekend to have time to go out to eat Fri or Sat.

we always do. after eating turkey and fixin's for two days in a row we need a break, and we need someone else to do the clean-up!

Hi Ashley --

I didn't vote in the poll because it is about 50-50 anymore. I would say we never go out on Friday because of leftovers. Lately, our family gatherings have been large enough though that all of the leftovers disappear and we may go out on Saturday.

Have you thought about maybe doing reservations only on that Saturday. If I recall, you typically don't take reservations but maybe you could come up with a fun theme (say, after the shopping and cooking, let us take care of you)?

Some day, I'll make it in to Mellilo's. I have been wanting to go for so long now.

Rebecca

[Robin Garr]

I'm really kinda torn---I don't want customers to come downtown to find out we're closed, but also, I don't want to waste money on payroll and overhead. Like I said before, we DO close the day after because the numbers are awful AND, it's Light Up Louisville, so anyone who comes downtown goes there. Two years ago, Saturday's numbers weren't great, so last year we closed.

Ashley, if the numbers don't make sense for you, then there's your answer. Personally, though, like Ron said, even though I love cooking and eating at home, I also love to go out, and we're usually ready to hit the streets by Saturday of a long weekend.

I think Rebecca had a great idea ... do something special, and maybe make an exception to your usual rule and do it by reservation only. That way you'll have a better grasp on how it's going to go.

Rebecca did have a great idea!!! Two years ago, on Saturday the numbers weren't great---BUT, that was TWO years ago. It's hard because I can't look at last year. Thanks everyone---I hope I get some more insight

My family actually does our Thanksgiving on the Saturday after the holiday. Scandalous, I realize.