Tax-Free Weekend Met with Mixed Expectations

Local shops and businesses are hoping for a mini-boom in sales this weekend as local residents could be flocking to the town center trying to take advantage of the state's tax-free weekend.

During a sales tax holiday, consumers do not have to pay a sales tax on items they purchase, as long as they are under $2,500.

From shops that sold more high-end merchandise like jewelers and fancy boutiques, they were looking forward to the weekend's potential influx of customers. But some stores with smaller products didn't see it as that much of a stimulus for their business.

Simms II Jewelers is expecting this to be a good weekend for the store.

"It will absolutely be a positive factor," said jeweler Artie Bennos. "We already have a large number of items being held for Saturday and Sunday."

The Jewelers Workshop also saw some increase in people asking to reserve items for them.

"People have been asking to hold products," said store employee Beth Jordan. "We do pretty good that day, people who have their eye on big items tend to get them those days."

Ashley Fino of Sells & Co., a women's boutique, said, "We absolutely expect higher sales. We've been getting ready for the weekend and are expecting a lot of sales."

Another business that hopes to take advantage of the weekend tax break with their own coinciding sale is Pairings Wine and Food.

"Some people have orders set for this weekend," said owner Ray Schaefer. "We are also having a special sale of 20 percent off all our wines."

However, most stores had little to say and expected only a slight increase, nothing that would significantly effect sales.

"Usually we get a little bit more of an onset," said David Smith of Winchester Art and Frame. "We do see some increase, but it's not what I'd call significant. In years passed, it has been helpful, but not recently."

Winchester Wine and Spirits also saw no real benefit, stating, "We're just hoping it helps."

This was a common tune from other shops like French Lesson Boutique, Catch a Falling Star and Bookends who really saw no added bonus for their business during the tax-free days.

One thing a number of store owners said what has had the biggest impact in their business recently has been the tax hike of last year where sales tax went from 5 percent to 6 ½ percent. Added to this, Massachusetts didn't even offer the tax weekend last year.

The feeling is mixed as to how much the tax break will help stores in town. Some saw it as a helpful bonus, while others just saw it as a cheap ploy to try and win over some more votes, considering elections are coming up.