Local businesses look forward to increased foot traffic from New Years Eve ball drop

SALISBURY, Md. – Local businesses are gearing up for a boom in foot traffic with the New Years Eve ball drop just a few hours away.

“A lot of people will only come downtown if there are events, and most of the time [they] don’t walk into a regular business, or walk into a regular restaurant,” said events technical manager, Chris Ford. “We’re hoping bringing people downtown for the first time will have them walk into a store or a restaurant that they normally don’t walk into.”

From restaurants, to tattoo shops, businesses hope to get the word out to consumers that they’re on the plaza, and some new businesses made their debut appearance.

“We’re going to be out here from 12pm-12am, all the way until the ball drops across the street,” said Atlantis Tattoo shop owner, Michael Borkoski. “We’re hoping it’s a busy night out here, and a lot of people are walking around downtown.”

Borkoski said the event gives him the perfect opportunity to showcase all of the talent he’s bringing to the area.

“This is our first event down here, so we really don’t know what to expect,” Borkoski said.  “We’re just hoping for the best; we got the doors open, it’s an open-door policy, anyone can walk in.”

“My goal is to meet more people, build a little more clientele, build a little more family, and just get out and try to put a good name out there,” added tattoo artist, Pico.

Owner of the Mad Hatter Cafe, TJ Ownby, said he’s happy to participate in the event, to bring more attention to try his restaurant and bring in the new year with fellow community members.

“2023 was a hard year for a lot of people, and to be able to offer something inexpensive, and [help] people have a good time, that means more to me than anything. That’s why I have a restaurant,” Ownby said.