GRANBY-- Some small businesses are unhappy with a last-minute state budget deal that extends the sales tax to car washes and increases liquor store hours.
Tom Sirman, the owner of Granby Autowash, said he fears he will have to pass the cost of the 6.35 percent tax onto customers.
"I just don't want to have to increase the price too much," Sirman said.
Customer Renee Mulvey was very upset by the passage of the deal. "I think it's ridiculous. I think we're taxed on everything in the state of Connecticut right now and I think the last thing they should be doing is adding taxes onto additional items,” Mulvey said.
The deal also allows liquor stores to stay open one hour later all week, moving the closing time from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
"For me to stay open I have to stay open, I have to either pay someone, take time away from my family, keep my store open, the lights on, the refrigerators going,” Wines, Etc. owner Justin Hamel said.
