GoUpstate.com This is a printer friendly version of an article from www.goupstate.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.


Back
Article published Aug 1, 2003
Upstate merchants, shoppers gear up for tax-free weekend

Amanda Ridley
Business Writer

Local businesses kick off South Carolina's fourth annual sales tax holiday today with promotions designed to swell the horde of bargain-hunters and full staffs to handle the onslaught.
The tax-free weekend -- which began one minute after midnight this morning and continues through midnight Sunday -- allows customers to buy clothes, shoes, school supplies and computers without paying the 5-percent sales tax.
The three-day break saved customers more than $3 million in taxes last year.
But shoppers are saving even more than that, area retailers say, through special sales and promotions.
Charlotte Boggs, owner of the Spunky Munky store on Spartanburg's east side, is granting customers an additional 10 percent off.
Boggs said she feels the added savings will help customers in need of special outfits for back-to-school.
Lisa Fields, a part-time employee at the children's clothing store, said customers have been coming by all week to scope out items.
Customers on the other side of town will have a chance to win discounts at various stores at WestGate Mall by picking up scratch-and-win cards throughout the mall, according to marketing director Diane McAndrew.
McAndrew said she hopes the tax-free holiday combined with any additional savings customers may earn will help ease the burden some shoppers may be experiencing.
Donna Rolen, store manager of the new Ross Dress for Less at Dorman Centre in Spartanburg, said customers could register for a chance to win gift certificates Saturday -- which also marks the store's Grand Opening.
Rolen said one $500 and 10 $100 gift certificates would be given out during the day.
"With the no-tax weekend and our grand opening, it's going to be a double-whammy," said Rolen, who added that everyone on the store's payroll would be working Saturday to battle the additional traffic.
Rolen said business has been twice what she expected since the store opened its doors for a sneak preview last week and expects even more customers this weekend.
Paul Teodori, store manager of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in Spartanburg, said he also anticipates increased traffic during the weekend.
He said extra employees are scheduled in every department.
"I hope people come in and take advantage of (the tax-free weekend). It's a great program," Teodori said.
Many parents might be using their Child Tax Credit checks to buy back-to-school items this weekend.
Parents who claimed the credit on their 2002 tax return may be eligible for a $400 tax-break for each qualifying child, thanks to the credit being raised to $1,000 from $600.
The first checks went out July 25, and overall about 25 million eligible taxpayers will receive the credit.
Amanda Ridley can be reached at 562-7270.