The state’s tax-free weekend was met a sidewalk crafts bazaar in Turners Falls and a surge of customers at businesses across Franklin County.
RiverCulture, an organization with a focus on supporting Montague’s creative economy, hosted its inaugural Summer Bazaar and Sidewalk Sales at Peskeomskut Park on Saturday. The bazaar featured local artists selling their crafts.
Dawn Spaulding, owner of the local art company Abstract Wandering, said the event provided her an opportunity to have her own booth, which she had wanted to do for the “last few years.” She said her art is inspired by local musical acts and her own travels.
“I think it’s great,” Spaulding said. “People have been really friendly. … It’s a beautiful day.”
Gauri Dani, who was representing Creatiliy Crafts, was selling handcrafted handbags. She said it was great to see local artists all in the same location.
“It’s very nice to look at all the art and everyone coming together,” Dani said. “It’s the perfect day, everyone has come out.”
She said the bazaar was not only good for selling her crafts, but actually giving her ideas for other designs.
“I can take inspiration from all the different artists,” Dani said. “Everyone has different ideas.”
Dani said the tax-free weekend was nice for her customers, but it also benefited her own creation process.
“I can buy the material for my next project,” she added.
Lynn Pelland, of LP Photography, said she thinks the craft fair is a great idea for Turners Falls.
“I think it’s fantastic,” Pelland said. “It’s a great way to support local businesses.”
She said the tax-free weekend helps drum up a little business, but the most important part of it is taking some of the burden off small business owners.
“I would say,” Pelland said, “it makes it easier for us.”
Shoppers were seen mingling with shop owners and participating in the raffle drawing. The Summer Bazaar also drew people in from the street, like New Jersey resident Cat Zhou, who was waiting for a friend and had no idea it was happening.
“It’s cute,” Zhou said. “It was a surprise.”
Zhou said her first impression was that it was “nice to see” many different vendors packed into Peskeomskut Park and the event’s outdoor nature eased any concerns about the pandemic.
“It’s bigger than it looks,” Zhou said. “It’s nice to have outdoor events.”
Farther up Avenue A in Turners Falls, Pipione’s Sport Shop owner Richard Mascavage said the tax-free weekend was helping sell “larger-ticket” items.
“Guns have been selling … combinations like rods and reels,” Mascavage said. “It definitely helps.”
Mascavage said it was “tough to just stay in business” in 2020 and tax-free weekend is a chance for businesses to make up some of that lost revenue.
“To get people to come out, it’s a good incentive,” Mascavage said.
In eastern Franklin County, Orange’s gun store, Bear Arms, was also reporting good sales on firearms and ammo.
“It’s always a good weekend for us,” owner Ed Hallett said. “Definitely an increase (in business).”
Hallett said increases in business weren’t just limited to his regular customers either.
“A first-time buyer came in this morning,” Hallett said. “I’ve seen a few different faces in here today.”
He said it’s good that customers “take advantage” of tax-free weekend, including a customer who requested to purchase a gun specifically this weekend, and the store is “happy” the state decided to have the sales holiday again.
“I had a gun set aside for him, waiting for him to pick it up this afternoon or tomorrow,” Hallett said. “We love tax-free weekend.”
In Greenfield, the Andy’s family of stores was seeing a boost in furniture sales.
“A lot of people are so excited because they’re saving the 6.25 percent sales tax plus 10 percent off all new orders,” co-owner Kate Finn said of the stores’ sales. “It’s very busy.”
Finn said upholstered furniture and table and chair sets were some of the biggest sellers this year, but many customers are going to have to wait for their home furnishings because of supply issues caused by the pandemic.
“Despite the supply chain issues across the world,” Finn said, “people are willing to wait for furniture.”
Finn said she was thankful customers chose to spend the sales holiday at Andy’s.
“We’re happy to be a local business,” Finn said. “We wouldn’t be here without our customers.”
Mark and Diana Capuano said they were looking to get some furnishings for their home and tax-free weekend was the perfect opportunity.
“We were looking for furniture,” Mark Capuano said. “It was just a matter of timing.”
The couple walked away from the store with two nightstands and a pull-up table to go with a rug they ordered.
“This is a first,” Diana Capuano said about shopping for furniture on tax-free weekend. “We just love coming here,” her husband chimed in.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.