OTTUMWA — Your workplace may still throw a Christmas party this year — but it might be a little less lavish.
“I think they’re still having them, but there’s a bit of cutback in what they’re offering, like the bar or the menu,” said Tim Schwartz, co-owner of the Hotel Ottumwa.
With banquet buffets, some party planners have asked the hotel for fewer selections. Where once there was an open bar, companies have asked for the bar to set a limit. Schwartz said he understands: A hundred employees cutting costs by two cocktails through the evening will save a party planner more than $500.
That $500 can be the difference between the boss approving the party or canceling it, Schwartz agreed.
But companies are still willing to spend to a limit, said Schwartz.
“They may have tightened up a little bit, but people are out spending money. It’s turning out to be a good year,” he said.
It’s a good thing, too.
“That’s kind of our bread and butter, the Christmas season parties,” said Schwartz.
In fact, he said, they have added to the parties typically scheduled for the holiday season.
“I feel good about the lineup,” he said.
Business looks good at Country Kitchen, too, though the good news and bad news is reversed. They have fewer parties but virtually no decrease in spending.
“What helps here [is that] we don’t sell alcohol, so that helps keep the tab down,” said Larry Zimmerman, the owner/operator.
On the other hand, there’s been something of a decrease in the number of parties scheduled for the banquet room.
“It’s a little lighter,” Zimmerman said.
And it’s a little later. Last year at Country Kitchen, Zimmerman said by the end of November, most of his dates for Christmas parties were already booked. This year, the reservation line didn’t start getting really busy until the start of December.
“It’s more spur of the moment,” he said.
The reason, Zimmerman believes, is that bosses were being responsible and waiting to see how much money they’d have available.
At the Ottumwa Country Club, another popular banquet spot, things look to be similar compared to last year.
“It (the economic downturn) really hasn’t affected us all,” said Lori Chickering, the banquet manager.
Though Bridge View Center doesn’t typically serve as the location for a lot of Christmas parties, they have seen a slight decrease in parties planned. And management did pursue possible clients.
“A few months ago, in an effort to build business, we approached local corporations and businesses about having their holiday [celebrations] here,” said Jon Elbaum, Bridge View’s general manager. “It seems like everyone decided to wait until the last minute, or they were going to [reduce spending].”
At the time, it seemed like it was not just having less money that was having an effect. Elbaum said “not knowing” was fueling the hesitancy.
“I think there were questions as to whether the [funds] would be in the budget or not,” he said.
In the meantime, Elbaum said his staff took action to keep the place busy around the holidays.
He said they wouldn’t let the place sit empty just because there were no large Christmas parties.
“What we’ve done instead is to try to create some of our own events that are open to the public,” said Elbaum, “like a couple of concerts in December. Not specifically Christmas — just a chance for people to gather.”
He’s hoping some companies would, if they weren’t having a party, consider bringing employees to a blues or Standing Hampton concert.
“You can’t sit around waiting for the phone to ring,” said Elbaum. “You’ve got to try new things.”
Mark Newman can be reached at 683-5358 or by e-mail at mgnewman@mchsi.com.
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