Participating local businesses experienced a boost in sales Monday during the second sales tax holiday of the fiscal year.
The sales tax holiday concept was organized by the Buy Haines campaign, a collaborative “shop local” effort organized by the Haines Economic Development Center (HEDC) and the Haines Chamber of Commerce. It was approved by the borough assembly in July 2019, and the first date occurred in October.
“The resolution that the assembly passed only accounted for two (holidays),” said Margaret Friedenauer, director of HEDC. “I’ve heard from several businesses that say they want to see it continue. Others are more lukewarm. It’s ultimately up to the assembly.”
Mary Jean Borcik of Mountain Market saw a 120% increase in sales compared to the same day in 2019. “We thought Monday would be hard because the barge hasn’t come in yet. We were really surprised,” she said.
Scott and Candi Bradford, owners of Miles Furniture, said the spring sale was a success for their business. “We thought we did well the first time,” Candi Bradford said. “But this time was better. It pushed people to buy bigger items.”
Doug Olerud of the Alaska Sport Shop said that although he appreciates the effort, he “thinks (the borough) can do a better job on timing.”
“Monday is never a real retail day,” he said. “The two dates they have chosen so far are not what I would have chosen. I think First Friday would be a good day.”
Both Borcik and Olerud commented that the October date, a Saturday, coincided with an influx of Canadian visitors. Olerud said that although the holiday helped the Canadians, if the intent was to target locals the day should reflect that.
Scott Bradford said that having the October date adjacent to other sale events could dilute the positive effects, while Olerud suggested placing the sales tax holiday around Black Friday.
When asked whether they would want to see more than two sales tax holidays per year in the future, all three business owners said that two felt like a good number. “I would bow to the budget,” Borcik said, “I think the community benefits (from the sales tax holiday), but the community also benefits from (sales tax collection).”