Although schools in Decatur County began the new year on Friday, August 2, local merchants are hoping that many families may have waited for this weekend’s Georgia Sales Tax holiday to buy most of their new clothing and school supplies.

Bella’s Boutique was doing a brisk business Friday afternoon, as many young women students were taking advantage of the tax savings to purchase new wardrobe items. Sales associate Sydney Smith said the biggest items in demand this year are bow-back dresses and shirts, maxi dresses, anything with Chevron prints and collegiate clothing.

Winston Brock at RX Drugs said his business has a good supply of composition books, crayons, pens and pencils, folders, bookbags and lunch boxes for sale, and that they usually do a good business on the tax exemption weekend.

Readers may also be reminded that this would be a good weekend to take advantage of the sales tax exemption to purchase those basic school supplies they plan to donate to the Edward Jones back-to-school drive. The two branch offices in Bainbridge are located at 102 E. Broughton St. and 600-A W. Shotwell St., and both offices are accepting donations up until Friday, August 30, during regular business hours.

Also in the clothing division, Southern Trading’s Banks Miller said his company is expecting to have good sales on their Columbian clothing and Underarmor sportswear. Full lines of clothing and shoes for all ages are also available at Belk Department Store in the Mall, with special emphasis on children’s wear as they celebrate the annual KidsFest on Saturday.