Carytown won’t host a New Year’s Eve party this year. 

The Carytown Merchants Association said the cost of putting on the event is just too expensive. 

Last year, people attending the celebration were asked for a $2 donation, but the merchants association still lost money, according to president Thom Suddeth. He owns Road Runner Running in the West End Richmond shopping district.

The association is already under a lot of strain. It’s been working to spruce up the area, but to get the work done, the association needs money.

It depends on dues for its funds. Roughly 30 percent of the nearly 300 merchants in the Carytown area   are members.