Tax-Free Weekend Passes Without Noticeable Increase

It's supposed to help businesses, bring a boost to the economy and increase business. But many local businesses felt as though the tax-free weekend had a minimal impact on their sales.

While some downtown businesses noticed an increase in sales, it could just have easily been accredited to the fact that the summer season is starting to wind down.

The reaction was mixed as some of the higher-end stores saw some slight increases, while a lot of the smaller stores, restaurants and other business's gained little to no incentive from the program.

On the plus side, stores like Sells & Co. benefited.

"We had a decent Saturday, whether because people were coming in for the tax-free weekend or just returning home from vacation, nobody knows," said sales associate Liz Sells.

"We did a good amount of product sales supported by an email blast campaign," said Katie Gentile of Katana Salon.

According to Matt Gamble, employee at there was an influx in customers, some of who said that the reason they were buying more wine was because of the tax break the weekend was offering.

Stores like Winchester Jewelers picked up a few new costumers, according to owner Beth Jordon, but she explained that it wasn't really that much of a change from other weekends.

Pairings Food and Wine definitely saw an increase in business, but that was partly because of their own sale that was cunning alongside the tax-free weekend.

"It was a really good weekend, "said employee Lori Schaefer. "We had a 20 percent off sale in conjunction with the tax free weekend and it really worked."

But many businesses believe sales won't significantly improve until something is done about the 6 ½ percent sales tax. Local business owners believe the jump up form five percent a year ago is still negatively impacting business.

"We are hoping that the taxes that were stated last year are repealed this November with the coming elections," Schaefer said. "Since distributors are already taxed, it's like being taxed twice for us."

But overall throughout the town, the tax-free weekend had a minimal impact on local businesses. Many still believe they won't see any significant increase in sales or revenue until something is done about the sales tax.

We small businesses are losing a ton of business to New Hampshire, we have to do something to keep everything here," said Andrew Anderson owner of Frame Haven.