Businesses prepare for Nights of Lights on Saturday

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Nights of Lights brings thousands of people to St. Augustine and tomorrow, the annual light-up with over 3 million lights begins.

Businesses have been preparing for this day for weeks, saying this time of year is undoubtedly the busiest.

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“I would be bold enough to say pretty much St. Augustine’s population doubles in the couple months here,” said Nicole Vincy of City Gate Spirits.

The festival brings hundreds to thousands of people in and out of state, keeping restaurants and bars busier than ever.

Though a pandemic and travel ban played a small role in last year’s turnout, Jason Pilacek of the Colonial Quarter says they always see at least a 40-50% sales boost.

He says they are expecting stronger numbers this year.

“As soon as we open the door in the morning and prime time, it is all day long and it doesn’t stop until we close the door in evening,” Pilacek said.

The Colonial Quarter overlooks four restaurants in the downtown area. They say they fear staffing issues, which has been an issue across the country but when the lights go on tomorrow, they say they will be ready for what’s to come.

A range of hotels said they’re booked out solid for the next two weekends. Southern Wind Inn is fully booked out until January.

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Devin Tekely, the assistant manager of City Gates Spirits, says the high turnover is much needed for every business here.

“This whole town focuses on tourism. That’s where a lot of the income comes from and our staff depends on that so to be back in the full swing, it’s massive for being able to live,” Tekely said.

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