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(KTVI - FOX2now.com) -
Business is brisk at Randall's Wines & Spirits because shoppers are hoping to beat a tax increase that begins September 1st. Signs inside the store let customers know some bottles of booze will jump by $3.50. The store is selling all the old inventory at old prices until new inventory arrives.
"Well it's kind of a bummer," said Pam Rappolee, customer.
The owner fears shoppers will head to Missouri for their next big liquor purchase.
"I would say that smaller shops would probably go out of business," said George Randall.
He moved his on-line business out of Illinois because of the higher taxes. He thinks the taxes will only drive more business into Missouri.
Customers hoping to avoid the higher taxes were stocking up on Monday.
"I'm going to St. louis to buy because I'm not spending $2, $3 or $4 a bottle more," said Judy Wagner.
"Lots of carts, lots of bottles people buying multiple cases of items and yeah a lot of assisting people to their car today," said cashier Chris Boron.
Even customers who don't make that many trips to the liquor store were out on Monday.
"I don't drink that much of it but it's good to get in here and get it at a good price before it goes up," said Jim Starr, customer.
Liquor isn't the only thing that's going to cost more in Illinois. Toiletries, candy, and soft drinks are also on the list. Most candy, currently carrying a 1 percent sales tax will be taxed at 6.25 percent. And it'll be the same for shampoos and toothpaste that, until now, were considered "medicated."
Bottled soft drinks with added sweetener or flavoring, such as iced tea, will be taxed more.
The money raised from the tax will fill pour more than $100 million into the Illinois budget each year. The money will be used to build roads, repair bridges and renovate schools.
"I would say that smaller shops would probably go out of business," said George Randall.
He moved his on-line business out of Illinois because of the higher taxes. He thinks the taxes will only drive more business into Missouri.
Customers hoping to avoid the higher taxes were stocking up on Monday.
"I'm going to St. louis to buy because I'm not spending $2, $3 or $4 a bottle more," said Judy Wagner.
"Lots of carts, lots of bottles people buying multiple cases of items and yeah a lot of assisting people to their car today," said cashier Chris Boron.
Even customers who don't make that many trips to the liquor store were out on Monday.
"I don't drink that much of it but it's good to get in here and get it at a good price before it goes up," said Jim Starr, customer.
Liquor isn't the only thing that's going to cost more in Illinois. Toiletries, candy, and soft drinks are also on the list. Most candy, currently carrying a 1 percent sales tax will be taxed at 6.25 percent. And it'll be the same for shampoos and toothpaste that, until now, were considered "medicated."
Bottled soft drinks with added sweetener or flavoring, such as iced tea, will be taxed more.
The money raised from the tax will fill pour more than $100 million into the Illinois budget each year. The money will be used to build roads, repair bridges and renovate schools.
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