As summer starts to wind down and kids get ready to head back to school, shopping malls fill with people in search of those "back-to-school" deals.
This weekend, shoppers can save just a little bit more as Iowa's Annual Sales Tax Holiday kicks off Friday and continues Saturday.
Retail stores in Marshalltown are gearing up for what is expected to be a busy shopping weekend including JCP - formerly known as JCPenney - at the Marshall Town Center.
Article Photos
T-R PHOTO BY LUKE STALZER
Stephanie Ricken, an employee with JCP at the Marshall Town Center, places jeans on shelves in preparation for this weekends Sales Tax Holiday. Select shoes and clothing items qualify as tax-free.
"We have new shipments coming in on Friday," Ryan Peck, JCP store manager, said. "We are overly staffed to make sure we're ready for this weekend."
The tax-exempt status only applies to select clothing and footwear, as long as those items are under $100. Other stipulations apply as far as using manufacturer's coupons.
Tyler Stoltenberg, owner of Brown's Shoe Fit Co. in downtown Marshalltown, is also ready for the big weekend and has extra shipments of children's and athletic shoes coming in.
Article PDFs
"We did a little bit of extra ordering," Stoltenberg said.
He also said he did not extend hours for this weekend, but he would be happy to stay open if there is a demand.
"I didn't actually know there was a tax-free weekend in the state when I moved here, but it's a great thing for everyone," Stoltenberg said.
Several items will not be exempt from sales tax this weekend including: jewelry, any sporting equipment, special clothing designed for athletic activity or protective use.
For a complete list of what is taxable and what's not, visit www.iowa.gov/tax/educate/holiday1.html.
"We're just really excited," Peck said. "This is a great thing for us and a great thing for Iowa."