Retailers Offer Specials In Lieu Of Tax-Free Holiday

For a second year, Georgians won’t have the benefit of a tax-free weekend to help with the back-to-school shopping frenzy necessary to get students ready for the classroom.

While the surrounding states of Alabama, North and South Carolina and Tennessee did manage to get a tax-free break through the legislature for citizens, Georgia did not. Three attempts in the Georgia General Assembly stalled, leaving shoppers without the benefit again this year.

Retailers, however, are stepping up to help.

In Athens, Georgia Square Mall retailers have partnered to help local residents get what they need without breaking the bank. The retailers are offering specials from July 28 to 31 to help parents get their students ready for school next month.

“Some stores' offerings are even better than what shoppers would have saved during previous Georgia tax-free events,” Dana Katterjohn, regional marketing director for CBL & Associates Properties, Inc, said in a released statement. “We wanted to do our part to allow customers to still receive significant savings, without the inconvenience of having to drive to neighboring states.”

Georgia Square retailers offering special discounts during this period are featured on the mall's website. The mall has more than 100 specialty stores and Athens' only department stores, including , , , and . Back to school fashion favorites include , , Belk, , / Express Men, / Gap Kids, , , , and . 

Items needed to complete school uniforms can be found at several stores within the mall including Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters, Gap and the department stores.