Tax-Free Weekend & Sidewalk Sale Are Here
As a shopkeeper, I can say with confidence that store owners are ready for these two weekends in August: Virginia Tax-Free Weekend, August 7–9, followed by the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale the next weekend, August 14–16.
Summer is always an interesting time in Alexandria. People tend to head to the beach or the bay, and the streets of Old Town become a little quieter. We’re ready for things to cool off and for people to come back to town.
These two citywide events are a sign that summer is winding down and fall is just around the corner.
Tax-Free Weekend is a statewide event designed to help people get ready for the school year. During the weekend, the state waives sales tax on clothing, shoes, and school supplies priced under $100. For an official list of qualifying items, click here.
To make the weekend even more fun, a group of Alexandria stores decided to extend the savings by paying the sales tax on other items as well. So if you shop at any of the stores listed here), they'll cover the sales tax on your purchase during the event. A six percent savings can really add up!
While Tax-Free Weekend includes a smaller group of participating stores, many more boutiques take part in the Alexandria Sidewalk Sale. This event has been around since 2010, and every year it gets better. This year, more than 30 stores will participate. Shops will bring racks and tables outside and slash prices to the lowest of the season.
Don’t worry—there will also be plenty of deals inside the stores, where the air conditioning is waiting for you. And if it rains, the bargains won't disappear—we'll simply move everything indoors.
The discounts are substantial. I can only speak for my own store, but our sale items are marked down 60 to 80 percent. You won’t find lower prices all year. It’s a great excuse to spend the day exploring Old Town and discovering shops you may not visit regularly.
Check out the Old Town Boutique Community website for a list of participating stores, hours, and special deals. The sale kicks off on Friday and runs through the weekend, so shop early for the best selection.
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