Any time most people rent a limo it's for some kind of fun occasion. A limo rental is a luxury and it usually ferries its passengers to a special destination, a wedding, a prom, a casino, or a bachelor party. After all, what could be more fun that cramming a bunch of friends into a stretch hummer limo for a night of drinking, gambling and carousing. But it's not all fun and games for the people who run the limo rental companies. According to this article from the Journal-Record in Oklahoma City, it's been a rough few years for owners of limo rental companies, "Jimmy Paris, the owner of Paris Limousine in Oklahoma City, has watched nine competitors go bankrupt or out of business since April. Part of that he pinned on the loss of the NBA’s Hornets, but he attributes more to a general slowdown. 'We’ve had four years of straight growth in the limousine business,' said the 20-year industry veteran, who operates a fleet of 28 stretch limousines and seven sedans. 'That’s the longest period I’ve ever seen in the limousine business, four years. You kind of wonder when the light’s going out. I kind of think that’s going on now.' That’s why these operators embrace the holidays, which spur limo traffic not just to see lights, but deliver party guests and take in colorful dances and other grand events. By some counts, the limousine industry draws a quarter of its annual revenue in November and December, culminating with its biggest night of the year, New Year’s Eve." So, the next time you rent a limo, take a moment to think about the people who run the limo rental business. Your phone call to rent a limo for that special occasion might just make their day.
