The NIU semester ends next week, but most of the local taverns are not closing their doors for the off-season.

Bob Daniels, owner of Otto’s, 118 E. Lincoln Hwy., said business is normally good during the school year, but over winter break and other breaks there is always a decline in sales.

“Even though there is a drop in business, we continue on and don’t change anything,” he said.

Chris Carpenter, manager/co-owner of Amnesia Nightclub, 1000 W. Lincoln Hwy., and Molly’s Eatery and Drinkery, 1022 W. Lincoln Hwy., said business is slow, but that’s not stopping them.

“Naturally over winter break business slows down, but we have other activities going on besides regular business,” he said.

“Amnesia and Molly’s offers catered parties, such as Christmas parties for local companies, like the DeKalb Post Office,” he said.

However one local bar will close over the holiday season. Lito Nepomiachi, manager of The Jungle, 1027 W. Hillcrest, said his business will take a few weeks off along with the students.

“We close the bar for the break to perform maintenance,” he said. The main reason, he said, is because The Jungle is student-orientated and the business would have to swallow a huge slow down. He added that the adjoining liquor store will remain open.

And like his competitors, Sammy Amayria, owner of McCabes Nightclub, 323 E. Lincoln Hwy., said, “Anytime school is out of session we lose a big chunk of money.”

But he said McCabes still gets some business more than others because it attracts a lot of the local residents. It offers special events, such as a Christmas Dinner that is open to everyone free of charge.

“We also have a New Year’s Eve bash that has been heavily attended in past years.” He added that McCabes also provides rides for those who have had too much to drink and have no other way home.