Beloved Bead Store S&A Beads Leaving Takoma Park

TAKOMA PARK, MD — Popular bead store S&A Beads is leaving the Old Takoma business district after 28 years, Takoma Voice reports. Owner Larry Silverman made the announcement to the Takoma Park city council Feb. 9.

One can spend hours in the store ogling over the vast collection of beads and talking to the always friendly staff. S&A Beads also sells jewelry and hosts beading classes and parties.

Silverman spoke on the struggles of high rent, parking in Old Takoma and the city's inventory tax as reasons why he needs to relocate from his storefront at 6929 Laurel Ave.

Silverman has been a longtime protestor of Takoma Park's inventory tax. He believes the tax is especially hard on stores like his that maintain a large inventory.

In a 2016 op-ed for the Takoma Voice, Silverman wrote:

"Takoma Park imposes more taxes on businesses that operate within city limits than any other municipality in Montgomery County... I want to assure our customers that we are working tirelessly to find ever better and ever newer inventory to attract your patronage and add beauty to your home and person. We will continue to do so despite the obstacles the city of Takoma Park puts in our way."

Patch reached out to Silverman and will update this article when we hear back.

According to a Gazette article, Takoma Park business owners pay a 2.5 percent tax imposed on inventory each year. Businesses are also taxed for their equipment, such as refrigerators and cash registers.

The City Council can exempt city businesses from the tax since the taxes are under the personal property tax category, but Takoma Park has yet to discount or cut the tax.

Councilman Josh Wright told The Gazette that Takoma Park generates up to $130,500 a year from taxing business inventories.

"You calculate your inventory at the end of the year, and if you have a lot, it means you had a bad year, and then you pay the most taxes on top of that," Silverman told The Gazette. "It's particularly important not to discourage us from giving our customers what they want; our customers want a larger selection."

Thankfully, Silverman is looking to move S&A Beads to D.C., Silver Spring or Takoma.

Photo: S&A Beads Instagram