Scan-N-Land

Hyperlocal News

Well, I don’t know if Amy was referring to me when she said “some gritted their teeth” and talked to strange shoppers. I didn’t grit my teeth (I do that when I’m asleep).

I didn’t get lost. I've been shopping this territory for 25 years. I scored myself a Perry Ellis scarf and a gold necklace. These portable purchases helped spark up the reportorial vest and allowed me to appear like I could credibly discuss shopping for clothes and accessories.

I hit the craft fair, the library book sale, the flea market, and the bakery. I got myself invited to a Christmas party, and I ran into my boy kitty’s former foster parents and loved on the pets up for adoption at the Humane Society’s adoption RV.

I also hit a bit of a crunch on my writing time after all of that Holiday Shopping Fun In My Neighborhood.

What I really hit on was the market for local data that Mike Mills told us about. My real interest in this tax-free bit is in the tax policy angle. How sound is this policy? What is the impact on the services that are funded by sales taxes? Isn’t it just a political ploy? Or is there a loss-leader effect of sorts where shoppers snap up taxed items they wouldn’t ordinarily buy?

The time crunch didn't allow for my usual over-exhaustive research in which I'd be waist-deep in the tax code and reading about local business models. But I would like to hear more angles on tax-free days, and I haven't seen much discussion in local popular press, so far.

What is the impact on the business owner? Linda at the consignment store sells only clothes, shoes, and accessories, but what about the merchants who have other products as well? How much do they gain in having to reset their computers to tax some things and not others? Why doesn't anyone report on the small business owner's side of tax-free days?

And, as a media person, I have an important question: why didn’t people know they could’ve bought (some) stuff on Seventh and Eighth Streets tax-free? I’m sure it was in the Hill Rag and The Voice of The Hill. “What about Shop Capitol Hill First”? (Although, I haven’t seen that slogan around lately…)

The Eighth Street/Barracks Row corridor is part of the National Main Street program and the Restore DC city government program. Restore DC’s home page links to the DC tax-free “Main Streets” individual pages were broken.

I had a good time and spent some money in my 'hood, but I'd like to see some analysis done and reported on. And if this IS sound tax policy (I doubt it), I'd like my friends and neighbors to shop the Hill first.

--Jean

posted by Mark H. @ 12/04/2006 01:23:00 AM