AUBURN - As she walked through Fingerlakes Mall Monday afternoon, Paula Plucinik was prepared to get in her last licks.
Glenn Gaston / Special to The Citizen
Linda Scowcroft and her daughter, Alyson, take advantage of the last day of tax-free clothing week Monday at the Fingerlakes Mall.
Linda Scowcroft and her daughter, Alyson, take advantage of the last day of tax-free clothing week Monday at the Fingerlakes Mall.
Plucinik, of Clyde, had previously purchased underwear, shoes and socks, and she was now shopping to see what last-minute items she could buy before the end of sales tax-free week.
"I started the first day," said Plucinik, who was picking up some back-to-school items for her sons. "You get a little better selection before everything gets picked over."
Tax-free week for all purchases of clothing and shoes under $110 began Aug. 30 and ended Monday. The exemption applied to the state's 4 percent sales and use taxes, and many local governments - including Cayuga County - also chose to eliminate sales taxes for the week.
Several stores in the Fingerlakes Mall prominently displayed signs announcing the special savings.
Steve & Barry's University Sportswear posted a large green sign with a dollar bill and the words "Tax Free Week Right Now" outside its doors, while JC Penney plastered red signs on its entrances. Foot Locker displayed the word "TAX" in a circle and crossed out, akin to the no-smoking sign.
The scene was similar at Jennings Department Store in Moravia, where indoor and outdoor postings made it no secret that customers were running out of time to save money.
"I ran down quick because I didn't want to miss anything," said Moravia resident Florence Blake, who was hoping to take advantage of the tax-free week and Jennings' additional 10 percent discount.
Mark Wood, the store's co-owner, said that while last year's sales during tax-free week were better, things were still going well.
"It ends up being a good week for sales," Wood said. "People will actually delay purchases to wait for tax-free week. They know it's coming."
Still, not everyone remembered it.
Lainie Walker and her daughter, Katie, of Union Springs, were trying to get in some quick shopping at the mall before Katie had to go to work.
Both had forgotten about the tax-free week this year and only remembered when they entered the mall Monday.
They had already stopped at JC Penney and Aeropostale and were rushing back to the former with the 15 minutes they had to spare.
Dia Dearstyne, 21, of Auburn, had also visited several stores throughout the week, originally unaware of the few extra dollars coming her way. She estimated that she had saved about $20.
"(That) makes a difference because you can buy a whole other article of clothing," Dearstyne said.
While the mall was crowded with back-to-school shoppers Monday, others decided to visit free-standing stores.
Allison Dann, store manager of McLaughlin's Department Store in Skaneateles, said that sales over the last week were pretty steady with a back-to-school crowd that would have likely shopped anyway.
A lot of customers weren't even aware that it was tax-free week, Dann said.
But they're pleasantly surprised when she tells them of their savings.
Last January, New Yorkers saved $37.2 million during a sales tax-free week. They saved $49.2 million in sales tax during the tax-free week a year ago, according to state officials.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
"I started the first day," said Plucinik, who was picking up some back-to-school items for her sons. "You get a little better selection before everything gets picked over."
Tax-free week for all purchases of clothing and shoes under $110 began Aug. 30 and ended Monday. The exemption applied to the state's 4 percent sales and use taxes, and many local governments - including Cayuga County - also chose to eliminate sales taxes for the week.
Several stores in the Fingerlakes Mall prominently displayed signs announcing the special savings.
Steve & Barry's University Sportswear posted a large green sign with a dollar bill and the words "Tax Free Week Right Now" outside its doors, while JC Penney plastered red signs on its entrances. Foot Locker displayed the word "TAX" in a circle and crossed out, akin to the no-smoking sign.
The scene was similar at Jennings Department Store in Moravia, where indoor and outdoor postings made it no secret that customers were running out of time to save money.
"I ran down quick because I didn't want to miss anything," said Moravia resident Florence Blake, who was hoping to take advantage of the tax-free week and Jennings' additional 10 percent discount.
Mark Wood, the store's co-owner, said that while last year's sales during tax-free week were better, things were still going well.
"It ends up being a good week for sales," Wood said. "People will actually delay purchases to wait for tax-free week. They know it's coming."
Still, not everyone remembered it.
Lainie Walker and her daughter, Katie, of Union Springs, were trying to get in some quick shopping at the mall before Katie had to go to work.
Both had forgotten about the tax-free week this year and only remembered when they entered the mall Monday.
They had already stopped at JC Penney and Aeropostale and were rushing back to the former with the 15 minutes they had to spare.
Dia Dearstyne, 21, of Auburn, had also visited several stores throughout the week, originally unaware of the few extra dollars coming her way. She estimated that she had saved about $20.
"(That) makes a difference because you can buy a whole other article of clothing," Dearstyne said.
While the mall was crowded with back-to-school shoppers Monday, others decided to visit free-standing stores.
Allison Dann, store manager of McLaughlin's Department Store in Skaneateles, said that sales over the last week were pretty steady with a back-to-school crowd that would have likely shopped anyway.
A lot of customers weren't even aware that it was tax-free week, Dann said.
But they're pleasantly surprised when she tells them of their savings.
Last January, New Yorkers saved $37.2 million during a sales tax-free week. They saved $49.2 million in sales tax during the tax-free week a year ago, according to state officials.
Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net
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