Dedham Shoppers Ready for Sales Tax Holiday

With the Massachusetts sales tax holiday beginning this weekend, some residents and shoppers are preparing their lists. For others, a weak economy is going to keep them home despite the deals.

With the NFL lockout over and preseason football currently underway, many said they will use the tax-free weekend to purchase televisions to cheer on their favorite teams.

The last time John Flynn, of Dedham, purchased a set he invited a large gathering of friends over to watch the Patriots win the Super Bowl. When he upgrades to a model that is 10 years newer and 10 inches bigger, he hopes to be able recreate the magic.

"We're going to try and do it again," Flynn said. "Who knows?  It might work."

Peg Mannix, who recently moved back to the area after spending several years in Virginia and now lives in Watertown, said she wishes she had waited until this weekend to furnish her home.  

Florence Rose, a resident at , said anything she would buy now is "too inconsequential" to take advantage of the tax break.

The still-struggling economy and see-sawing stock market was cited by others as a reason to keep out of the malls this weekend. Standing outside of in Dedham Square yesterday afternoon, store owner Eileen Kelly, of Dedham, said she had no plans to go shopping.

"Normally we might go out and buy some electronics or a power tool or something," Kelly explained, "but my husband is , so we won't be making any big purchases."

Others say the $2,500 cap on purchcases and other limitations is keeping them home, instead of making major purchases like a car.

Michelle Heffernan, of Dedham, is also pushing up against the cap. She had plans to buy her husband a surprise birthday present, but the model he wanted was too expensive. Instead she said she plans to buy some patio furniture this weekend, and will wait until closer to his birthday to buy the present.

"I tried to go cheaper, but this is the one he really wants," Heffernan said. "I'm making a list of other things instead."