Local shoppers who buy tax-exempt items will receive a break from the state's 5 percent sales tax and from York County's additional 1 percent sales tax for road improvements. Some merchants say store sales double during the tax-free holiday.

Employees at the Ross Dress for Less store in Manchester Village were busy Thursday placing extra shoes and clothes on shelves and racks. The store's area supervisor, Kathie Park, expects to do well with sales this weekend. Items that sell best include shoes, summer wear, purses and jeans, she said.

"We're doing a big promotion on our shoes," Park said. "I hope a lot of people are starting to get those refund checks."

Park referred to tax rebates of $400 per child which the U.S. Treasury Department began mailing out to more than 25 million middle-income households late last week. Checks will be sent to families who qualified for a child-tax credit in 2002.

Staples Office Superstore located next to Lowe's off Dave Lyle Boulevard, also is preparing for a big weekend.

The store is extending to one hour beyond normal business times and doubling its staff, said store manager David Bishop.

Tax-exempt items such as computers, calculators and personal digital assistants will be readily available for customers this weekend, Bishop said.

Overall, tax-exempt items during the weekend include clothing, clothing accessories, footwear, school supplies, computers, printers, printer supplies and software. Items not exempt from taxes include furniture, jewelry, cosmetics and hardware such as hand tools and power tools. A complete list of exempt and nonexempt items can be found on the S.C. Department of Revenue's Web site: http://www.sctax.org/

The tax-free holiday began in 2000 as part of Gov. Jim Hodges' education initiative to give residents a break while paying for school supplies. During the first year, South Carolina shoppers saved $3.6 million in sales tax, and they saved $3 million in 2002, according to the Department of Revenue. This years' tax-free weekend is expected to save consumers $3.1 million.

"We hope it's going to be a good weekend and a boost for the economy," Park said.

Contact Denyse Clark at 329-4069 or dclark@heraldonline.com

Tax-free weekend store hours and events

The tax-free weekend began at 12:01 a.m. today and ends at midnight Sunday. Below is a list of special store hours and activities: • Rock Hill Galleria The Rock Hill Galleria will be open from at 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. both today and Saturday. On Sunday, the mall will be open from 1:30 to 8 p.m. Magician John Tudor of Cayce will perform. Shoppers who spend $200 can get a free gift by presenting receipts at the mall office or security. • Wal-Mart Family Fun Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot. The event will feature a contest, face painting, art activities and a bake sale. Activities are free, but donations will be accepted. Barbecue plates will be sold for $5, and hot dog plates will be $2. Proceeds will benefit the YMCA. • Goody's Goody's Family Clothing will hold its third annual Kid's Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m Saturday. The celebration includes family entertainment, prizes and refreshments. A dress design contest is open to children ages 8 and younger. Prizes will include a $500 U.S. savings bond. Official entry forms are available in the store. • Sears Sears will hold a grand reopening ribbon-cutting at 8:40 a.m. Saturday at the store's front entrance located off Dave Lyle Boulevard. The first 250 customers will receive a box of chocolates with a $10 Sears gift card. There also will be drawings for shopping sprees. Cameron Mathison, who plays Ryan Lavery on "All My Children," will sign autographs from 1 to 3 p.m. The Sears photo studio will offer a Kid Care ID photo service from 1 to 4 p.m.