Despite tax increase, Tanger sales soar

FOLEY, Ala. - Even with a newly increased sales tax, some store managers at Baldwin County's Tanger Outlet Mall are reporting stronger sales than 2008. Some stores are even seeing double-digit increases.

Pampolina Store manager Cynthia Byrd said she approached the season with caution.

"Everybody is afraid, because it's our job. When the economy is not up, it hurts our sales and our hours. For now, we are doing good," said Byrd.

For the 2009 holiday season, an extra charge is popping up on the cash register. That's because Tanger Outlet Mall was granted a tax increase a few months ago.

Mall managers say the half-cent sales tax will be used to attract more businesses and shoppers to the area.

"We see millions of people through here every single year, and that money will help our community," said Jackie Sewell of Tanger Outlet Mall.

At one pet store, managers thought the tax increase would have hurt their sales.

"We were wondering if we were going to catch a little recoil from it, but not at all. Been pretty successful," said Cory Stanfield of Pet Sense.

But Kaycee Mitchell is not going to let anything stand in her way of having a happy holiday, because this could be the last time her family gets together for awhile.

"My husband might not be here for the next two years, so we are trying to make a good of christmas as we can," said Mitchell.