BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – New tax data shows just how much Vermonters, and the tens of thousands of visitors spent during April’s Great American Eclipse.
Upwards of 160,000 people visited Vermont to witness totality on April 8th. State officials warned the public to stay home, and off the roads in anticipation of major traffic troubles.
In Morrisville, which saw 100% totality, a local pub, 10 Railroad Street staffed up for a busy weekend.
“We just saw the cars leaving in a line and no one pulled in,” said Abby Judkins of the restaurant.
Judkins says they only made about $1,000 in sales on Eclipse Day.
“We got our normal dinner rush around 6:00/6:30 p.m., and that was about it,” Judkins said.
Next door at The Wild Legacy dispensary, Kara Swinson says locals and eclipse tourists forked up green, to get down with the green.
“It kind of came really quickly and left really quickly in a whirlwind,” Swinson said.
While up the hill at Soulmate Brewing Company, it was a standing-room-only crowd for the celestial show.
“It was the best sales day we’ve had since we opened our doors. It was amazing,” said brewery owner Jonathan Mogor..
Immediately following the eclipse, thousands headed home, causing historic traffic backups statewide. But Mogor says many stayed to wait out the rush.
“Everyone asked us if we would stay open, they were hungry. We couldn’t get home, they couldn’t get home, so everyone stayed and kept having a good time,” he said.
Morrisville businesses saw mixed results, so how did state coffers fair?
Tax revenue data reported late last month shows Vermont collected over $16 million in meals and rooms taxes, and over $42 million in sales in use taxes. Compare that to the same time last year, where the state took in $15.4 million for meals and rooms taxes, and more than $42 million for sales in use.
“Tthe tax revenues themselves have limitations themselves, and are not showing a huge jump over expectations,” said Vermont Tax Commissioner Craig Bolio.
But Bolio says the numbers, don’t tell the full story. Some spending, like on groceries, aren’t captured in the revenue report. Other data could be lagging too, like credit card sales. Bolio says revenues only reflect the entire month.
“I also think there are long-term impacts there to something like the Vermont brand where people came in got to see what it’s like being here and will think about us on their next vacation as well,” he said.
Vermont’s Commerce Agency which estimated the total economic impact could top $50 million, is still crunching the numbers and will issue the total economic impact in a few weeks.