Photo by Frank Couch and Maryellen Newton.
Back-to-school necessities are on display at Serendipity Boutique.
Beginning Friday, Aug. 5, at 12:01 a.m. and ending Sunday, Aug. 7, at midnight, participating cities in Alabama will hold their 11th annual tax-free holiday weekend. Certain school supplies, computers and clothing under $100 can be purchased free of state sales tax.
Most children may be sad that summer is coming to a close; however, this is one reason why Serendipity Boutique owner Samantha Jones likes the tax-free weekend. “There’s a buzz in the air of the new stuff, season and looks,” Jones said. “I get excited going with my kids.”
One of the aspects Jones looks forward to most is seeing friends with children come in. She enjoys being able to chat with them about their summer and helping outfit the children.
The dynamic between a mother and her daughter can be tense while shopping. Jones recognizes this, saying that though it can be the hardest part about the weekend, she knows how to handle it. She and other employees try to intervene; they pick out clothes for the daughter, while the mother sits and relaxes — or does shopping of her own.
Serendipity Boutique is a women’s clothing store located in Cahaba Heights behind The Summit. They sell cute and trendy clothes for women, ranging anywhere from 18-year-olds to 70-year-olds, according to their website. For more information about Serendipity Boutique, visit shopserendipityboutique.com. For more information about Alabama’s tax-free weekend and a list of exemptions, visit revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/salestaxhol.cfm.
