Another local paper
"Daily Freeman" has write up. I have posted the comments and the link to the paper. I am not posting the replys from some readers as some are happy they are leaving (Cigar Nazis):
Taxes send Uptown cigar store south
Published: Tuesday, June 08, 2010
By PATRICIA DOXSEY
Ed Zeboris of Hurley lights up a Padron, one of his favorite cigars, which he buys at the Uptown Cigar Company on John St. in Kingston. Zeboris has been patronizing the store for all of its 14 years. In the rear is Sean Pascoe of Kingston, who has been a customer for the past six years. (Freeman photo by Tania Barricklo)
KINGSTON For the past 14 years, cigar connoisseurs could go into the Uptown Cigar Company to smoke and socialize with others who shared a passion for the stogie.
That will all change at the end of the month, when owner Michelle Tuchman closes the doors to her Uptown business.
Tuchman said state tobacco taxes are forcing her to abandon her retail store at 32 John St. and move her Internet business to Florida, where she will be able sell her products free from the high excise taxes New York state levies.
The rising costs of doing business here in New York no longer allows me to offer my customers a competitive experience and we are forced to move our thriving business to Florida, where the accumulated taxes and fees are reasonable, Tuchman said in a press release announcing her decision.
She said an expected 44 percent increase in the state excise tax on tobacco products - to 90 percent from the current 46 percent - is simply more than she, or her customers, are willing to pay.
We want to support local businesses and my customers have been doing that for 14 years. When there was a 20 percent excise tax, people were OK; when it went to 37 percent, it was a little more difficult; and when it went to 46 percent, we really started to feel it in terms of sales, she said.
There is no way her business would be able to survive if the excise tax is increased to 90 percent as proposed in Gov. David Patersons budget, Tuchman said.
Excise taxes are levied against all tobacco products sold in New York state from businesses in the state. The tax is not levied against those products sold on the Internet from locations outside the state, Tuchman said.
If you buy something on the Internet, no matter where its from, if they dont have a location in New York, you dont have to pay taxes. ... So New York state cigar smokers, if they buy from the Internet … dont have to pay taxes.
While her customers will still be able to purchase their cigars from her and at a price that will be less than they currently pay they will lose the social experience her smoke shop has offered and she, the friends shes made.
These people are just really wonderful and they come from all walks of life. Whether theyre Democrat or Republican, blue collar, white collar, when they enter my store it doesnt matter. Theyre there to enjoy a cigar and invariably solve all the worlds problems, she said. Im grateful for the years Ive had, Im thrilled with the friends Ive made. I have become enriched immeasurably in my life just from the people who have come in.
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/articles/2010/06/08/news/doc4c0dcfef14ed6247508941.txt#blogcomments
