Central Florida shops offer saving spree

Central Florida families can expect even more opportunities to save during this year’s tax-free weekend, which includes a new high-tech category of items to save on.

From Friday, Aug. 2, to Sunday, Aug. 4, shoppers won’t have to worry about paying tax on clothing, footwear and accessories costing $75 or less, and school supplies such as pencils, binders, and folders costing $15 or less.

But this year’s tax-free weekend also has a new twist: no tax for computers or computer accessories costing $750 or less. This includes desktop and laptop computers, tablets, e-readers and a variety of mice, keyboards and monitors.

Shopping centers like the Oviedo Mall plan to make an attraction of the three-day saving spree by hosting a Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 3, which includes a rock climbing wall, a disc jockey and three kiddie fashion shows featuring clothing from Macy’s, Dillard’s, Sears and several other stores.

“Floridians, but especially the residents of Oviedo, really look forward to that weekend as an opportunity to just save a little bit extra,” said Sara Montuori, marketing director for the Oviedo Mall.

“Most of the families that we see have multiple children, and so they’re buying for more than one child going to school. So, of course, the more they can save, the more that helps out their family as a whole.”

Traffic and sales for the Oviedo Mall increased from 2011 to 2012, and the trend is expected to continue this year and carry over into the tax-free weekend, Montuori said.

Other shopping areas like the Seminole Towne Center use the tax-free weekend to give back to local schools. The annual Simon Scholars School Reward program, which starts on Aug. 2 and runs to Nov. 30, gives shoppers a point for every dollar they spend in the Towne Center. The points are given to a school of their choosing, and the top three schools win cash prizes of $1,500, $1,000 and $500.

Fourteen local schools have registered to participate this year, and Seminole Towne Center expects a big turnout this year to make things competitive.

“The economy is getting better and we’re definitely seeing a drastic increase in expenditures and traffic normally, so we really expect a strong showing for back to school as well,” said Shelley Sloan, director of marketing and business development for the Seminole Towne Center.

Winter Park residents will also have a chance to save while supporting the dozens of local specialty stores along Park Avenue.

Though most of the Avenue’s shops aren’t themed around heading back to school, that won’t stop shoppers from taking advantage of the weekend savings and treating themselves to a discount, said Synergy Sportswear co-owner Lorrie Schlosser.

“They use it as an opportunity to come out and buy the pair of shoes that they’ve been wanting or the special clothing,” Schlosser said. “Every little savings helps.”

Clothing stores along Park Avenue such as Current, Lucky Brand and Downeast will all be taking part in the tax-free weekend.

Winter Park Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Patrick Chapin predicted that the clothing stores along the Avenue should all see a bump from the influx of shoppers this weekend.

“Everybody is cost conscious, and this weekend is getting a lot of buzz,” Chapin said. “I think anytime you can save 6 or 7 percent, people are going to take advantage of that.”