'Keeps us around': Tax free weekend helps local businesses

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - As you head out to do some shopping for your tax-free weekend, don't forget about your local stores. KFOR spoke to a couple of businesses ahead of the shopping holiday about the help your business can bring.

For Chad Brown at Daniel's Shoes near NW Expressway and N. MacArthur Blvd., it starts with a measurement before finding the perfect fit for your foot. It's work that's been in the family blood since 1975, starting with his dad.

"He used to work for Bates shoes in Bethany, Oklahoma. And, you know, he grew up probably 16, working there and was going to start his own business," Brown said.

Daniel's Shoes was born. Brown's dad, Dan, is retired now, but the business is still standing 50 years later thanks to customers like Judy Akin, who've shopped there since the beginning.

"My oldest, who's 33 now, she got her first pair of shoes here and continues to get them," Akin said. "My grandchildren and great-grandchildren get their shoes here."

When you also consider giveaways and donations to local charities, shopping where you'll see personal attention is all the more valuable.

"You get that benefit of quality and comfort and a good fit," Brown said.

More can be found on their website, danielsshoes.com.

Don't forget, though, clothes under $100 are exempt along with shoes.

"We draw everything ourselves," store manager at Opolis Clothing Bailey Stringer said. "We print everything ourselves."

Opolis Clothing in Midtown has walls of shirts from Bedlam to the OKC Thunder.

"We're a small team and we work really hard," she said.

Stringer said lots of business came with the recent title run, and they hope the tax-free weekend can do the same.

"People coming in and shopping and spending their money with us, that keeps us around," she said.

You can shop for all ages and find more on their website here, opolisclothing.com.

There's also a plethora of other small businesses you can find across the metro.