Although 2014 was a year filled with some important milestones in Vero Beach, it closed out a bit more subdued than usual, in large part because New Year’s Eve landed mid-week this time around.
“We will probably be busier on Friday and Saturday night than we will be on New Year’s Eve,” said David Lane, owner of Riverside Café.
The intermittent rain also put a slight damper on the festivities. The traditional South Beach style poolside dance party at Costa d’Este was mellowed by a move indoors to the Crystal Room, while the crowd at the Vero Beach Hotel sought shelter under the pavilion at Heaton’s Reef.
Guests at Osceola Bistro enjoyed dinner and music by Deja Blue, protected outdoors by patio awnings. The Ocean Grill, Maison Martinique, the newly reopened Patio Seafood Tavern and other restaurants had plenty of dinner reservations but otherwise people mostly opted to ring in the midnight hour with friends and family at home – if they managed to stay up that late.
But while the usual late-night spots may have seen smaller crowds, business was brisk at Kilwin’s Ice Cream, a favorite with the family-friendly set.
“We celebrated with dinner at Mulligan’s and an ice cream afterward. That is our big night out,” said Jolin Fischer, laughing with husband Patrick as they watched daughter Joelle, 3, enjoy her ice cream cone.
Freshmen Learning Center students Megan Kent, Bailey Schlitt, Tahlia Cisneros, Perry Cohen, Ali Bierley and Michael Bishop waited patiently in line for their ice cream treat, enjoying one last splurge to celebrate the end of 2014.
Asked if they had any big resolutions for 2015, their parents will be happy to know they all said good grades were their top priority. “I want to get above a 3.7 grade point average,” added Cisneros.
All around town, celebrants who toasted the New Year did so safely. Sergeant Eric Flowers, Indian River Sheriff Department Public Affairs spokesman, related that it was a relatively quiet night, with no serious altercations or incidents in the county.
Kitty Wagner’s new Blue Star Bourbon Bar and Southern Kitchen managed to lure her beachside clientele over to the mainland. Many patrons finished their evening with a toast at midnight and then returned New Year’s Day at noon for a unique brunch experience which included dressing in comfy pajamas.
“We love Kitty and we love brunch with our friends,” said Suzanne Vilas who came with husband Marcelo and friends Sayre and Jordan Schwiering.
“If Kitty was not having a brunch we would have probably just stayed in bed and had wine and mac and cheese in bed with the dogs,” Schwiering said, getting a laugh from her friends. They all loved the concept of being able to lounge around while recovering from the night’s revelry with a menu of comfort food.
The brunch was so successful that Wagner plans on continuing it – pajamas optional.
Asked about her 2015 resolutions, Sayre Schwiering shared one that with any luck everyone will follow: “No complaining, no being negative and no talking about other people … only positive things.”
