The weekend of August 5th through the 7th is the annual sales tax holiday in both Carolinas.
The weekend of August 5th through the 7th is the annual sales tax holiday in both Carolinas. Consumers can buy back-to-school items, tax-free through Sunday at midnight.
The SC Revenue Department says the tax holiday costs about $3 million in lost tax revenues.
This year, a few Grand Strand businesses that don't have anything to do with school supplies are offering their own tax-free deals.
Those businesses still have to charge a sales tax, since their merchandise is not on the official state list of tax exempt items, but the retailers are paying the tax themselves and passing along the savings to their customers.
The owner of a Carolina Forest restaurant said people are struggling in this economy and he wanted to give his customers a way to save a few more dollars.
"With the price of gas these days, with the economy, we just thought we'd like to do something that, after everybody's been shopping all day, they've got to go someplace to eat," said Bob Chrushch, owner of Beef O' Brady's Sports Restaurant.
It's the first time the restaurant has offered a tax free weekend. It's also the first year Imax 3-D Theater in Myrtle Beach is offering the sales tax break to residents of Horry and Georgetown counties. Both businesses say they would do it again next year, if it works.
It's is a way for businesses to tag along with a trend that's proven to be popular with shoppers.
"Since they were already getting a break somehow, we wanted to actually add that in with them," said Imax group sales coordinator Sharon Salyer.
J & K Home Furnishings in North Myrtle Beach has offered a tax free weekend to coincide with the state's tax holiday for several years. General Manager Roy McDuffie said it's an additional incentive to attract customers, along with the discounts the store would normally offer.
"It's just that extra dollar, that extra savings, that they're pocketing and we're all in this thing together to try to save that few extra dollars," McDuffie said. "Let the consumer still get what they need, and we're here to help out."
Only a few furniture pieces, like lamps and bedding, are included on the official state list of tax-exempt items, but McDuffie said J & K is offering the tax-free deal on all merchandise in the store.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
