---

Tightened purse strings due to a dragging economy didn't dissuade shoppers from taking advantage of the first day of Massachusetts's sales tax holiday weekend on Saturday. Local businesses reported good shopper turnout despite, or perhaps encouraged by, the economy as state residents and those from nearby Rhode Island used the holiday to spend big.

"We came out because of the tax break," said Haren Ardeshna of Smithfield, R.I. while shopping at Cardi's Furniture in Attleboro. "We haven't settled on one thing, we are going to buy just whatever we need. Somewhere in the $300-400 range."

Sarah Wood and Brian Callahan from Mansfield said they waited for the holiday to buy a new coffee table, but it also got them contemplating a new television. "We are definitely thinking about buying something big," Wood said.

The law approved by House and Senate lawmakers and signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last month means shoppers can avoid paying the state's 5-percent sales tax on purchases made through today.

Goods costing up to $2,500 are exempt from the tax. But boats, cars, meals and tobacco products will be excluded, as will be telecommunication services and gas, steam and electricity utilities. Lawmakers said a similar holiday has boosted sales in recent years during the summer doldrums. They say it could be extra helpful this year.

The mutual store-shopper benefit was no more apparent than at Best Buy in North Attleboro, where the hours were extended to accommodate the anticipated rush and there were no signs of troubled times.

Some of the store employees even served as traffic control, directing the heavy auto flow around the parking lot. "Every year this has been a great day. Everyone is in good spirits," said manager Bernie Janoske. "There are lots of energy drinks being passed around to keep everyone moving."

Andrew Welt of Cumberland, R.I., came to Best Buy for a new camera, as his current one could "use an upgrade." He said he was there to just look around and see if anything caught his eye.

"Today made me think I could use something bigger and better," he said.