Purchases made in October through December are re ected in sales tax allocations distributed two months later. As the number of Grapevine visitors grows during the months of November and December, so does the amount spent at retail.
Sales tax allocations for each month generally re ect pur- chases made two months earlier. According to the State Comptroller’s O ce, revenue in Grapevine has increased during the months of Novem- ber and December each of the past ve years, except for a dip amid rising COVID-19 cases near the end of 2020. Grapevine’s sales tax rev- enue from purchases made in November 2021 increased 32% to $4.4 million from the November 2020 revenue total of $3 million. The sales tax revenue of $5.5 million in December 2021 was a 24% increase from the $4.2 million total of one year prior. Growing festivities Main Street will have a 9,000-gallon ice-skating rink during the holiday season as part of this year’s events. The ice rink is part of the growing variety of Christmas events in Grapevine. In a July 5 council meet- ing, Paul W. McCallum, executive director of the Grapevine Convention & Vis- itors Bureau, said depend- ing on the ice rink’s success and the continued growth of the Christmas Capital of Texas, “Grapevine will become the Rockefeller of the Southwest.” The ice rink will be located at Grapevine Main Station’s Peace Plaza. Horsch said the skating rink will be the larg- est outdoor ice rink in North Texas. Sizemore said Grapevine’s businesses are looking for- ward to the crowds that may
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spirit of the holiday season.” To live up to its title as the Christmas Capital of Texas, Grapevine will have around 1,400 events over more than a month’s span. Grapevine expects to receive thousands of visi- tors for those events, which include ICE! at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center as well as the North Pole Express, Horsch said. The events are hosted by city sta , Grapevine-Col- leyville ISD, the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce, the Great Wolf Lodge, the city’s hotels, local businesses and the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau, which pro- motes businesses and events. Horsch said planning can take more than a year for cer- tain activities, and city entities work together throughout the year to prepare for the holiday attractions. “We’re thankful that we have so many incredible part- ners that help make every event a huge success,” he said. One partner of the Christmas Capital of Texas is Grapevine’s public safety departments. Amanda McNew, media man- ager for the Grapevine Police Department, said the safety and security of citizens is the
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SOURCE: TEXAS COMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMUNITY IMPACT
“WE’RE THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE SO MANY INCREDIBLE PARTNERS THAT HELP MAKE EVERY EVENT A HUGE SUCCESS." DANIEL HORSCH, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND BRAND MANAGEMENT FOR THE GRAPEVINE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU
department’s primary con- cern. She said the police have been collaborating with the city’s parks and recreation department to keep tra c moving during the high in ux of visitors. “Everything we are plan- ning and doing is centered around making sure our personnel, volunteers and visitors are coming to a safe environment to have the best experience possible,” she said. Economic impact The foot tra c along Main Street and throughout the city also a ects Grapevine’s local businesses. Julia Sizemore,
president of the Historic Downtown Grapevine Asso- ciation, said the merchants of Grapevine live for the city’s festivals, such as Christmas Capital, Main Street Fest and GrapeFest events. She said these events bring locals and visitors to Grapevine’s businesses. “We’re so blessed with the tourism down here in the city,” Sizemore said. Grapevine’s proximity to the Dallas Fort Worth Interna- tional Airport is another plus for local businesses, she said. Sizemore said Grapevine sees visitors from around the world who can jump on a shuttle at
the airport, and eat, drink and shop at the city’s businesses. Debi Meek—owner of Ber- muda Gold and Silver, and a member of the Historic Down- town Grapevine Association— said the in ux of tourists during the Christmas season is critical for the businesses. “We have people come from literally all around the world to the Christmas Capital,” Meek said. “We live for that time, because it’s just such a wonderful time of year, and it impacts us in a very positive way.” Grapevine’s sales tax rev- enue regularly increases during the holiday season.
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