Tax-free shopping rings up sales across the city

Published 12:30 am Sunday, August 1, 2010

Deal-seeking crowds flocked to Vicksburg shopping centers this weekend for the second annual statewide Sales Tax Holiday created to help keep shoppers in the state.

The 48-hour, 7 percent sales tax suspension wrapped up at midnight with many merchants pleased with shopper turnout.

“I wish we would have tax-free weekends more often,” said Norma Massey, owner of the 60-year-old downtown Frederick’s Shoe Store.

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“We did better than last year. Families came out and bought more,” she said. “Our selection of shoes is definitely down and we’ll replenish our stock on Monday.”

Massey’s downtown business neighbor at The Catwalk, a women’s ready-to-wear shop, agreed.

“We’ve had a lot of tourists,” said store owner Gina Pugh, who has operated her store on downtown Washington Street for nearly two years. She said the stores had help attracting customers from the Summertime Blues Jam outdoor concert to benefit the cleanup of the April 20 Gulf Coast oil spill.

“This is what downtown needs,” she said. “They need to liven it up a little bit.”

Downtown shops kept their regular business hours.

The concert, featuring local and regional bands, was sponsored by Duff’s Tavern & Grille, Upper End Lounge, Willingham’s and The Pour House. Proceeds will be donated to the United Way of the Gulf Coast relief fund.

Across town, department store retailer JCPenney at Pemberton Square mall, which had opened three hours earlier both days, saw the same kind of crowd.

“We were running as expected,” said store manager Alvin Richardson, who has managed retail stores during sales tax holidays in two other states before. “We were heavy and steady. It’s all about the kids’ clothes.”

Kids’ clothes were items that attracted Franklin County shopper Allyson Smith and Clinton resident Jackie Starks to Vicksburg.

“We made a special trip for the sale,” Smith said while picking out uniform sizes for her three children, ages 14, 12 and 7 at JCPenney. “They’re better stocked this year.”

“We got up around 7 to come to Vicksburg and shop,” Starks said as she helped her son pick out school clothes, also at JCPenney.

At the Outlets at Vicksburg, the scene was the same — shoppers carrying numerous shopping bags were plentiful.

“A few stores doubled their sales goals,” said Paige Caldwell, outlets marketing and special events manager.

“Last year, we did fabulous, and this year was just as well,” she said. “Staying open late really benefited us.” The outlets had opened an hour early both days and two hours later on Friday. She was unable to disclose figures.

The Children’s Place store manager Valerie Herren said Saturday’s turnout in her store was much better than Friday’s.

“We had a cash registers waiting all day,” she said. “All of our stores around the state said they saw the same traffic increase on Saturday.”

Items eligible for the 7 percent sales tax suspension include only clothing and shoes up to $100 each.