Fewer holiday parties mean a ripple effect for bars, salons

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Holiday party cheers are pending.

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With far fewer washbasins thrown, hairdresser Anastasia Kraftsova said it wasn’t the usual December for the second year in a row.

“The volume is much less,” she said from her salon in the Beaches district. “More than last year, but less than normal.”

Omicron variants have overturned all sorts of plans, and festive gatherings have been a hit for the second year in a row.

Public health officials are urging people to be more modest at the end of the year and avoid gathering in large groups.

Kravtsova says the year is over in a much better way than he experienced in 2020, but it’s still not at its peak.

“December is usually the busiest month of the year for all beauticians,” says Kravtsova. “This is where we make the most money.”

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The same is true for bars.

Edmund Burke co-owner of Danforth, Ras Piffer, said he wouldn’t normally get a big business upheaval from a holiday party.

“The Christmas party wasn’t very important to us,” said Piffer, who relies on loyal regulars.

But he hopes that the current COVID-19 surge will not undermine the December tradition at his bar. Charlie Brown Christmas ..

“I’m really looking forward to doing that again this year. Two shows have been booked and sold out. If there’s a limit by next week, that won’t happen. So that’s a big disappointment.”

After a brutal 21 months, bars like him are again prepared for the potential limit on the number of patrons they can allow.

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“I feel like some restrictions are imminent,” Piffer said.

More public health departments have been plagued by increased cases since Omicron first jumped into the world’s radar in late November.

Advice on avoiding large gatherings is even more pressing during the normally busy holiday party season.

The effect is linked to everything from taxi businesses, ride-sharing apps, catering services, restaurants to the beauty industry.

“Sleeping, eating, straightening, repeating” is how Kravtsova explains the pace of her normal work during this period. “It’s the slogan that every beautician goes to Christmas.”

But not so much this year.