Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot (D) toured Woodmont Triangle on Wednesday to encourage residents to shop local this holiday season.
Franchot said buying gifts online tax-free instead of at local merchants was “unpatriotic.” He thinks Congress will pass legislation that would institute state tax collection by online retailers by this time next year.
“If you live in Maryland, get off the internet and come down and patronize these wonderful local businesses,” Franchot said. “It’s not just that we lose the tax revenue from these internet sales. It’s that we lose our small businesses by not supporting them. It’s a big problem.”
Franchot visited The Blue House (7770 Woodmont Ave.) and owner Jill Godfrey and bought a decorative bowl. He also stopped at Fortuna’s Shoe and Luggage Repair (7835 Woodmont Ave.), in Bethesda since 1938, and Creative Parties (8011 Woodmont Ave.) which does wedding invitations and other party goods.
Bethesda Urban Partnership Executive Director David Dabney and Bethesda-Chevy Chase Chamber of Commerce President Ginanne Italiano accompanied Franchot on Wednesday, the first stop in his annual tour of small business areas throughout the state.
