What timing at Edgewater Mall, a new 75-ton sand sculpture saluting the military is now completed inside the mall, just in time for Mississippi’s tax-free shopping.
During the tax-free period, which actually begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and ends at midnight Saturday, shoppers will not pay sales tax on clothing, footwear or school supplies if the price of each item is less than $100.
The mall’s new Salute to the Military sand sculpture, which is located near J.C. Penney, uses 75 tons of sand to create a 13-foot tall salute to all branches of the U.S. military. A team of professional sculptors took 14 days to complete the effort, which is expected to be on exhibit for at least six months.
It will be, says Edgewater Mall manager Terry Powell, a great attraction for a busy weekend. “Tax-free shopping is a brisk time for the mall,” Powell said. “We see increased business that Friday and Saturday, and our mall merchants will have extended hours, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday.”
According to Mississippi’s tax-free holiday guidelines, “clothing” is any article of apparel designed to be worn, including pants, shirts and blouses, dresses, coats, jackets, belts, hats, undergarments, and multiple piece garments sold as a set.
“Footwear,” says the Mississippi Department of Revenue, is any article of apparel for human feet except for skis, swim fins, roller blades, skates and any similar items. “Accessories” that include jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, briefcases, and similar items do not qualify for the sales tax holiday.
The MDR defines “school supplies” as items that are commonly used by a student in a course of study. Computers, clothing rentals, accessories, shipping charges and layaway sales are ineligible for sales tax exemption during the holiday weekend.
Sales tax holiday: What you need to know
Facebook video: See the mall’s new sand sculpture
YouTube video: See the mall’s new sand sculpture
News & notes: Weekly report, football and cheer registration, traffic
The week that was: Weekly reports from the departments of Police, Fire, and Community Development are now online for your review. To see the report from last week and an archive of weekly reports, click here.
Football and cheer registration: The Biloxi Parks & Recreation Department will hold registration for its football and cheerleading leagues this Saturday and next Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Donal M. Snyder Sr. Community Center. For more details, including fee information, click here.
Traffic:Â To see the latest traffic advisories and road closures, click here.Â
