Aug 2, 2008

Parents, teachers hit stores for tax-free weekend dealsBy Meg MirshakChronicle.Augusta.com

School supplies list in hand and shopping cart in tow, Miran Tyrrell joined other parents and schoolteachers Friday in taking advantage of South Carolina’s tax-free shopping weekend.

Through midnight Sunday, shoppers in Georgia and South Carolina can purchase school supplies, computers, clothing and footwear items without paying sales tax, although each state has certain restrictions on items that are considered exempt.

At Office Depot on Knox Avenue in North Augusta, Mrs. Tyrrell loaded her cart with binders and poster board for her daughter and son and the Scout troop she leads. She shopped midday Friday, avoiding crowds that she expected.

“I was thinking this was going to be a mess,” she said.

Office Depot assistant manager Katrina Tillman said the store should be busier today. The North Augusta store opened at 8 a.m., an hour earlier than usual.

Frankie Miles, of Waynesboro, Ga., knew from past tax-free weekends to shop early. The Office Depot was the third stop by lunchtime Friday for Mrs. Miles and her daughter, Jasmine, who had shopped for clothing at other stores.

“With gas being so high, make one trip,” Mrs. Miles said. “This is a good time to do it. That 7 percent adds up.”

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