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  • Debbie Hays of Palestine helps her grandson, Cayden Jones, 4, try on shoes at L&L Shoe Store in downtown Palestine Friday. The sales tax holiday started Friday and will continue through Sunday. CHERIL VERNON

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August 18, 2012

Sales tax holiday starts strong

By CHERIL VERNON Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — Shoppers were out in full force Friday in Palestine during the first day of the statewide sales tax holiday — saving money on back-to-school clothes and school supplies.

Texas’ annual sales tax holiday will continue through Sunday at retail stores across the state.

As in previous years, legislation exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Student backpacks under $100 also are exempt. In 2009, the Texas Legislature also expanded the tax-free list to include qualifying school supplies (if priced less than $100) such as crayons, glue, binders, lunch boxes, paper, markers, etc.

Debbie Hays of Palestine was helping her grandson, Cayden Jones, 4, pick out shoes at L&L Shoe Store Friday afternoon in downtown Palestine.

“He is in Southside Daycare’s pre-k program. He needs shoes for school and he likes the shoes that light up,” Hays said. “We’ve been out shopping, trying to save a little money with the tax-free weekend sales. We’ve been buying school supplies and earlier went bridal shower shopping in Tyler.”

W.T. Arthur and his wife Annie spent Friday with five of their seven grandchildren — shopping all over Palestine.

“We do this every year, the wife and I shop for all seven of them. We’ve been to Bealls, JCPenney, Payless (Shoes) and L&L so far,” Arthur said. “I like the idea that I’m saving eight bucks — it goes a long way on a hundred dollar bill.”

Also in the Main Street district, Coed Shop salesperson Sandra Speers reported that many shoppers weren’t even aware of the sales tax holiday.

“It was a nice surprise for them that they were going to save a little money while shopping,” Speers said.

Over at Office Depot on Loop 256 in Palestine, store manger John Thompson said school supply items were flying off the shelves today as the tax-free weekend kicked off.

“It’s been good, very busy, they are keeping us on our toes,” Thompson said. “People are buying a lot of school supplies and everyone has been real friendly.”

Brandy and K.C. Wendell of Palestine were taking advantage of the sales tax holiday while back-to-school shopping with their three children, Olivia, 9, Stratton, 6, and Hayden, 4.

“We got all of our school supplies for the fourth grade and first grade. We took advantage of the sales tax holiday to get clothing, socks, underwear — all the necessities. The kids have enjoyed it.”

In fact, their oldest child, Olivia, was having fun helping her family make selections.

“I like that we can pick out stuff for school and mom says ‘yes’ because it’s tax-free weekend,” Olivia said while picking out colorful folders for school.

The dress code restrictions at Palestine and Westwood school districts made it a little difficult for some shoppers, Beckie Fisher said.

“The stuff on sale is not practical for the school uniforms. We can’t get the cargo pants and lots of the jeans have the excessive embroidery or designs on the pocket that we can’t have. The jeans can’t be skinny jeans or have holes in them and that’s all the style right now so it’s hard to find the ones that are acceptable,” Fisher said. “I’m all for shopping Palestine first and I have, but I haven’t been able to find everything I need for the dress code, so we are going to the Conroe/Houston area tomorrow to get the rest.”

Fisher was shopping with her husband, Joe, and three children, Lizabeth, 9, Levi, 11, and Clay, 10. The children will attend Westwood Independent School District this year.

“It’s been pretty quiet shopping today, not too crowded,” Fisher said. “We also were able to take advantage of the sales tax holiday to get my husband his work boots at Cavender’s, which was nice.”



A list of tax-free items can be found online at www.TexasTaxHoliday.org.

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