Contact: Colleen Roche/Matthew Higgins (212) 788-2958
"These sales tax-free weeks encourage New Yorkers to get out and shop," the Mayor said, while shopping at Modell's Sporting Goods at Broadway and Chambers Street. "Every year, merchants in all five boroughs lose $700 million in retail sales because New York taxes shoes and clothing and New Jersey doesn't. I hope all New Yorkers will take advantage of this last weekend of sales tax-free shopping and shop until Albany drops the sales tax on all clothing and footwear forever."
Referring to a recent telephone poll of New York City businesses conducted by the City's Economic Development Corporation, the Mayor said, "Merchants we've talked to report sales increases ranging from 20 to 100 percent, compared to a typical January sales period. The merchants surveyed were overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic, reporting significant increases both in sales and customer traffic."
The current tax-free shopping week began last Sunday and will continue through tomorrow, Sunday, January 24th. During this eight-day period, clothing and footwear sold in New York City for under $500 per item is exempt from both state and city sales tax, resulting in an 8.25 percent savings for consumers.
The Mayor also joined in the presentation of a $20,000 check to the Uniform Firefighters Association Widows and Children's Fund from Modell's Sporting Goods. The donation represents a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Jets T-shirts featuring New York City firefighter Ed Anzalone atop his brother Frank's shoulders delivering his famous J-E-T-S chant. Mayor Giuliani purchased the first Anzalone Jets T-shirt two weeks ago at a City Hall ceremony.
"Unfortunately, the Jets season has drawn to a close, but the enthusiasm that gripped the city during their spectacular season made today's donation possible," the Mayor said. "Modell's and Ed and Frank Anzalone should be commended for finding a unique way to channel the City's love for the Jets to a very noble cause -- helping firefighters' widows and children."
The Mayor was joined by Modell's Sporting Goods Chairman Bill Modell, Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen, Uniformed Firefighters Association Manhattan Trustee Dan Lynch and Ed and Frank Anzalone.