Dillard’s at Temple Mall was busy Saturday and Sunday as back-to-school shoppers took advantage of the nationwide tax-free weekend that began Friday and ended at midnight Sunday.
The tax-free status applied to most clothing, shoes, school supplies and backpacks sold for less than $100. The state comptroller provided lists of eligible items.
Kari Harrison, manager of women’s and juniors at Dillard’s, said the store had deep discounts of 40 to 65 percent during the special weekend and that those prices would remain low until supplies ran out.
“We always have new stuff and the quality of our clothes is excellent,” she said. “You can buy clothes from Dillard and keep them for years because they are good quality.”
Even swimsuits are on the list of tax-free items, she said, as well as obviously school-related items like shoes and lunch boxes.
“There were more people shopping on Saturday,” she said on Sunday afternoon.
Compared to last year, there was more traffic and sales were significantly higher.
“People are still coming to us today – the last-minute shoppers who didn’t make it yesterday or realized they needed more things,” she said.
Customers come from everywhere, she said, even from Waco and Killeen.
“They like coming to Temple because they say it’s well organized and easy to find things,” she said. “And our customer service helps each customer make their selection and assists them. That’s a big plus. It makes shopping easier for them. It’s a service industry, otherwise it wouldn’t be Dillard’s.”
Since Dillard’s moved from the front part of the mall to the old Macy’s building at the other end years ago, many people don’t know they’re still in business, she said. Dillard’s actually owns the building and is independent of the mall.
“We have no intention of closing,” she said.
Patience Anderson, sales assistant at Pink Bulldog Boutique, 208 N. Penelope St. in Belton, said Sunday afternoon that the store, which specializes in women’s and children’s accessories, was very busy.
“Ordering our custom shirts was a huge success this weekend,” she said.
Customers include people from Troy and Academy, she said, many of whom buy school fan shirts that the store makes. Those are made-to-order merchandise, she said.
“I would say it’s mainly intended for the fans to wear at football matches,” she said.
She said the store owner, Micah Springton, goes to local schools to market a lot of school supplies.
The store regularly carries bows, headbands and some earrings, she said.
“We can also make specific school fan hats,” she said.
The store had a special offer over the tax-free weekend, where customers could buy one and save half on their second purchase of clothing and shoes, she said.
“It’s going really well,” she said.
