MAURICE — Maurice is seeing an increase in sales tax revenues thanks in part to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a summary provided by the Vermilion Parish School Board, July's sales tax collections in the village amounted to $73,064.16. That's $13,000.00 better than the same month last year.
During the pandemic more people started shopping local as several places, including hardware stores, were able to stay open. Gerrod Brasseux owns Brasseux's hardware in Maurice and Abbeville and says it has been busier than usual.
"This year's July and August have been very different from years past. We have maintained sales levels all year long, we haven't seen dips like we normally do," Brasseux said.
He says business picked up because people had more time to work on their homes. Now even as more restrictions are lifted, people are continuing to shop local.
"We're able to be here for those customers, we were able to establish a loyal customer base."
At the beginning of the pandemic, Brasseux said many customers became more comfortable with shopping at smaller stores, where less people would be.
"I also like that guy, he's a nice guy," customer Aaron Watson said.
Watson is one of the many residents staying in his hometown to shop. He says he comes to Brasseux's when he needs something, but he also shops at other locally owned stores.
"It's also convenient because we live nearby, but we like to keep the money in the area," Watson said.
"They understand now how much it has on their local community," explained Brasseaux. "If we don't support local business, it will all vanish, then we'll have to all drive to Lafayette, because it will be the only hub."
Find a summary of Maurice's sales tax revenue below:
