Posted by Daytimer on November 18, 2000 at 07:49:08:
|
The new $12 million duty free store is now open at the border. It is located in the large main parking lot on the US side, close to the west end of the pedestrian bridge. It is an amazing sight. It is worth going in to see even if you don't buy anything. For you smokers, US brands go for $12 per carton. San Diego Union Newspaper article: A chance to win a free trip to Paris didn't hurt either. "We didn't buy anything today because you need to cross the border (to take advantage of duty-free prices), but we were just curious to see if there really are any savings," Erna Lockhart said on Thursday, as the weekend event kicked off. "There are." From inside the 15,000-square-foot, two-level World Duty Free facility at the end of Camiones Way, less than 50 feet from the San Ysidro Port of Entry, the store is reminiscent of a fancy airport duty-free shop. There are glazed ceramic and hardwood floors, a vaulted ceiling and a glass rotunda housing the various specialty areas of the store. However, step outside its granite walls and it is very clear shoppers are at the international border not the international airport terminal. Store officials are hoping to grab at least a portion of the 42 million people who cross the border annually. "This is the busiest land border-crossing in the world," said Jack Cruthirds, the store's regional manager. "The potential is good." The new store is owned by World Duty Free ericas-UETA, a Connecticut-based retailer operating 200 duty-free news, gift and specialty stores in U.S. airports and along the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico. The company operates two other small duty-free stores in San Ysidro. According to Cruthirds, the megastore regularly will offer better bargains than retail shops. Travelers leaving the United States may purchase goods from the store free of tax and duty, provided that the goods leave the United States. In addition to entering the contest for a free trip to Paris, which is accepting entries until Dec. 2, visitors this weekend also will have a chance to get Cruthirds said he expects the store to appeal to Americans and Mexicans alike. All shoppers must cross into Mexico to get the duty-free prices. Those who do not enter Mexico must pay the sales tax. But anyone who buys cigarettes, liquor or some jewelry must then go into Mexico, he said. American shoppers may return immediately to the United States. However, they must declare any items to the U.S. Customs Service, which places limits on items brought into the country.
|
|