On Retailing

Tuesday, November 7, 2000

October sales tax rebates good news for 15 towns

Smaller cities experience growth in business sectors that fuel increase

While Corpus Christi's sales tax revenue so far this year lags behind the state, 15 other Coastal Bend cities are beating the state average.
   City leaders said new businesses and increased purchasing helped their towns outdo the state in October rebates, which reflect sales taxes collected in August.
   While the state is ahead of last year by 9.4 percent through October, Fulton and Alice saw increases of 18 percent and 19 percent, respectively. In Corpus Christi, however, percentage growth has crawled along at 4.14 percent.
   For many towns, small populations meant vendors could have big impacts. In Robstown, which saw almost 24 percent growth, officials attribute the gain to a half-cent sales tax to fund economic development and a new Texaco station on U.S. Highway 77. But for towns such as Fulton, the economy reflects a growing business sector.
   In the past year, City Secretary Linda Burgess said, six businesses have made their home in the town of about 1,250, including a seafood restaurant and Sea Worthy Marine.
   In Alice, the global economy has done a world of good for local business. The heavily oilfield-dependent city suffered with low oil and gas prices, and now is prospering with high prices.
   While five new businesses have opened in the city, Dennis Bleier, the city finance director, said the oil and gas industry has pumped new life into the city because of sales of machine parts.
   "The bottom line is that there's just more money to spend," he said.
   Other area cities with increases above the state average are Freer, Orange Grove, Premont, George West, Three Rivers, Bishop, Driscoll, Petronila, Port Aransas, Portland, Sinton and Taft.
   Billiards room to open
   Paradise Pool & Billiards, an upscale billiards room targeting an older crowd, will have its grand opening Thursday at 5141 Oakhurst Drive, behind the Outback Steakhouse and Spaghetti Warehouse on South Padre Island Drive.
   The 13,000-square-foot parlor will include an air purification system, 30 pool tables, a 12-foot snooker table, a 22-foot shuffleboard table, electronic darts and video games, and a full-service bar and restaurant.
   Owner Harrison Todd designed the structure, from the building's exterior to the cue racks. Paradise will sponsor weekly leagues, pool tournaments and one major open annual competition.
  

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On Retailing is published every other Tuesday in the Caller-Times business section. The column includes news of new, relocated and expanded businesses in the Coastal Bend, plus retailing trends and profiles. Ideas may be submitted to: On Retailing, Corpus Christi Caller-Times, P.O. Box 9136, Corpus Christi, Texas 78469; e-mail Michael Hines at hinesm@caller.com; fax items to (361) 886-3732; or call (361) 886-4316.

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