Christmas Tree Shops to close amidst tax

Saturday was the last day any Christmas Tree Shop was open, meaning it was the last day to take advantage of some major savings.

All Christmas Tree Shop locations closed for good on Saturday, including 18 in New England — and adding to the savings was the fact that the closure came on tax-free weekend in Massachusetts.

Most retail items up to $2,500 are exempt from sales tax Saturday and Sunday. Exclusions include meals, motor vehicles, motor boats, gas, telecommunication services, tobacco and marijuana products and alcoholic beverages.

The well-known chain has become somewhat of a staple across the region, selling everything from kitchen gadgets, to outdoor furniture, to toys and even food. It all started on the Cape in the 1950s and is now based in Middleboro, Massachusetts. But the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year.

The store was offering daily discounts of up to 90% off lowest ticket prices, according to the Christmas Tree Shops website. That included every item in the store from every department.

Even the store's fixtures were being sold, along with displays and stockroom equipment.

It all came on tax-free weekend in Massachusetts and as parents got ready to send their kids back to school. Experts say parents make the bulk of those purchases this month.

“We're just going to start out being like every other day and finish it like every other day and unfortunately it's going to be the last day,” receiving manager Steven Diaz said.

There were eight remaining CTS locations in Massachusetts.