Mirror photos by Patrick Waksmunski Alex Baker serves desserts to Ellie Sipes (left), 16, and her sister, Aubrie, 14, both of Hollidaysburg, at Jethro’s in Altoona. Local restaurants like Jethro’s are ready for what is typically one of their busiest nights of the year.

By Walt Frank

wfrank@altoonamirror.com

Local restaurants are ready for what is typically one of their busiest nights of the year.

In 2014, the National Restaurant Association estimated that 100 million Americans planned to celebrate the new year by going out to a restaurant or bar, or order restaurant takeout or delivery. The organization did not have more current figures.

Two local restaurants that are normally closed on Sundays will be open for New Year’s Eve.

“It is our biggest day of the year. Mothers Day and Valentine’s Day are big, but … there is more money spent on New Year’s Eve,” said Dan Taddei, owner of the Allegro Restaurant, Altoona.

Taddei said it was not a difficult decision to open for New Year’s Eve.

“We’ve had people here for the last 40 years; it is a tradition. We will be open even though it is on a Sunday. I wouldn’t feel right sitting at home when it was New Year’s Eve,” Taddei said.

The Allegro normally has about 80 items on its menu, but for New Year’s Eve, there will be about 35 items, Taddei said.

Meanwhile Finelli’s Italian Villa, Altoona, also will be open for New Year’s Eve.

“It is our biggest night of the year. This year being on a Sunday, we have two or three nights that will be good ones. New Year’s is still New Year’s. This is the big one,” owner Frank Finelli said.

Finelli said the celebration of New Year’s Eve has changed over the years.

“Years ago, people would go out dancing, hollering and whooping it up for New Year’s Eve. The gang we get is looking for a nice quiet dinner at the end of the year,” said Finelli, whose restaurant will have a special menu for New Year’s Eve.

Finelli said this will be the first time his restaurant will be open on a Sunday for New Year’s Eve.

“We are interested to see what it will be like. We often get calls from people asking if we are open on Sunday. Sunday is a family day for us,” Finelli said.

Georgette Clark and Ron Brumbaugh said New Year’s Eve isn’t as big as it was years ago but is still very important to their businesses.

“It is our busiest holiday next to Mothers Day, so it is pretty busy but not as busy as it used to be. We typically serve about 350 on New Year’s Eve,” said Clark, manager of Jethro’s, Altoona, which will offer its regular menu plus a couple of specials.

“It won’t be as good as if it were on another night. A lot of people may go out Friday or Saturday night, but you will still have your traditionals who will go out. For us New Year’s Eve dining is usually over by 9 or 9:30 p.m. That’s the way it is any more in the dining business,” said Brumbaugh, owner of the Creekside Inn, East Freedom.

Brumbaugh said New Year’s Eve has changed because of the drinking and driving laws.

“It is still a very good night for us. What makes it better is the Steelers play at one o’clock; we may get the later daytime crowd. We used to get between 250 and 300 people for New Year’s Eve; now we do about 150 or so. The lounge area will ring in the New Year, but the dining area will probably be done by 9 or 9:30 p.m.,” Brumbaugh said.

Traditions Restaurant in Martinsburg is usually busy for New Year’s Eve, but the restaurant, which is closed on Sundays, will remain closed for New Year’s Eve.

“Sometimes in the past we would have a big crowd because people don’t want to drive to Altoona and stay in the Cove,” said Arley Hooder, general manager. “We will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. New Years Day. We will be extremely busy for breakfast. There are a lot of people in the area visiting family. We will be busy New Year’s Day and offering pork and sauerkraut all day long.”