I can’t say that I’m surprised by this story from the Edmond (Okla.) Sun:
The most recent Oklahoma Tax Commission figures indicates that Arcadia’s sales tax revenue has doubled since POPS opened there last August. […]
August to January sales tax revenue is $123,365 compared to $59,137 for those months of the previous calendar year. Murrell said the 2006 opening of the Windmill Shops also is generating business.
As a visual landmark on west Arcadia’s Route 66, POPS offers a gas station, restaurant and retail. Thousands of soda pop bottles accentuate the business owned by Aubrey McClendon, chairman and owner of Chesapeake Energy.
December was the only month for Arcadia to decline in sales tax revenue. But Murrell and POPS General Manager Marty Doepke blame the decrease in sales to December’s severe ice storm that caused power outages in Arcadia for five to eight days.
The story goes on to describe how Arcadia has become a boom town in general.
I knew that POPS would become a big windfall for the town’s coffers. It’s busy all the time, especially on weekends. Owner Aubrey McClendon‘s gamble appears to have paid off big.
It’s mostly inevitable that Arcadia has become a residential hot spot. Nearby Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City, is now so big it’s practically a metropolis in itself. Those wanting more a quiet, small-town feel will be heading east on Route 66 to Arcadia.