Curbside takeout and delivery is how restaurants like Jose’s Mexican Street Tacos, which opened two weeks before state-mandated closures for restaurants, have been operating for the last month.

During the stay at home order, when many Tennesseans were working from home and limiting their trips to stores, more people did business here than they usually do.

Revenues actually grew, reports show.

“We say it all the time, ‘The money you spend here, stays here,’” said Covington mayor Justin Hanson. “When our residents were not traveling out of Covington to do their shopping due to the pandemic, we heard from many business owners that they were seeing an increase in sales, some even seeing record sales.”

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Covington’s sales tax revenue for April was 9.2 percent – or $30,000 – higher than it was in April 2019 and year-to-date it is up 3.5 percent ($108,000).

Other cities are reporting increased revenue as well.

Brighton said the town saw a 43-percent increase. Munford reported a 12.5-percent increase over April 2019.

“Both March and April were the highest numbers of the year,” said Sherry Yelvington, Munford’s city recorder. “While state sales tax numbers are down for the same month we do still have a slight increase at this time over last year at the same time.”

Hanson wanted to remind people that shopping local is important as it funds things like paving streets and paying teachers.

“We urge you to continue to do your shopping right here in Covington.  It benefits everyone!”

Sales tax reports are provided to municipalities two months afterward. Revenues from May will be reported later this month.

Echo Day
Author: Echo Day

Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.