The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce has 14 businesses involved in this year’s Shop Fort Scott Sales- Tax Holiday event this weekend, August 7-8.
Lindsay Madison, Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said the annual event began in 2011, when a few stores approached the Chamber with the idea.
The neighboring states of Missouri and Oklahoma have tax holidays before the fall season each year. Kansas has none.
So, to keep the community and their dollars in Fort Scott, some local businesses are providing the opportunity to save money, while supporting local businesses with an almost 10 percent reduction in their total receipts.
Some retailers will participate in the Shop Fort Scott Sales Tax Holiday Weekend by offering shoppers a 9.65% discount while continuing to collect and remit all applicable sales tax.
Participating merchants include 110 South Main Mercantile, Barbed Wire & Roses, Be The Light Boutique, Better In Bourbon, Blissful Meadows Boutique, Eternal Grace Boutique, Hedgehog Books, Laree + Co., Midwest Runway, Papa Don’s Pizza, Ruddick’s Furniture, Shirt Shack, Sunshine Boutique, and The Market at 23 Main.
Special considerations include that the discount at Ruddick’s Furniture applies to the first $500 of a purchase, while the discount at The Market at 23 Main applies to apparel only, according to a Chamber press release.
Shoppers may also enter to win $50 in Chamber Bucks.
To qualify for the Chamber Bucks, shoppers must spend at least $5 at three participating businesses and have their event rack card marked at each location. Completed cards should be turned in at the third participating business visited to be entered into the drawing.
Participating businesses offer a wide variety of merchandise, including apparel, home décor, new and repurposed furniture, school supplies, pizza, and much more.
With most participating businesses located in Fort Scott’s Downtown Historic District, shoppers can enjoy a convenient weekend of shopping while supporting local businesses throughout the community, according to the press release.
For more information, contact the Chamber at (620) 223-3566 or visit fortscott.com.
“We are always looking for new ideas and ways to change things up so the event stays fresh and people continue to get excited about shopping locally,” said Leslie Godden, Chamber Communications and Events Planner.