Aug. 7--It's a tax-free weekend in New Mexico, time to save on school supplies, clothes and shoes, even on computers and software.

The three-day tax holiday began at 12:01 a.m. today and concludes at midnight Sunday. It's designed to help people buying supplies for school's start. Classes begin Tuesday in Deming.

Clothing and shoes under $100, school supplies under $15, computers under $1,000 and computer equipment under $500 qualify for tax-free status. Those prices are per item, not total purchases. You need not be a student to take advantage of the tax-free period. Buy a new computer or software for home use, if you like.

A complete list of tax-exempt items is available at www.tax.state.nm.us.

Local stores expect to be busy. Some already have been.

"School supplies are selling very well," says Big Kmart Manager Ramon Colon. "That is true. Things are flying out of here."

Especially notebooks, binders, filler paper, pens, pencils and the like.

But there are other deals.

"The layaway department is big plus for people," Colon said, especially handy if they're buying for several people. "A lot of great deals in the store."

Kmart, 1205 E. Pine St., is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Deals are also at Ray's United, 113 S. Gold Avenue, open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

"The entire store is marked down, 20 to 75 percent off," Ray Trejo Sr. said. "We have enlarged the shoes (inventory). Converse, DC, Nike. We loaded up on those. We've got plenty of stock, plenty of shoes, jeans -- Levi's , Wrangler."

Check Ray's Sidewalk Sale for sale some of the best items.

The Shoe Dept., 800 E. Cedar St., has sales prices, also.

"Really, store-wide," says Steve Davis, and "not brand specific."

Hours are expanded this weekend, opening an hour early, at 9 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. Sunday, and closing an hour later, at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. Sunday.

Dollar General, at 1310 E. Pine St., and Family Dollar Store, at 811 S. Platinum Ave., have clothes and schools supplies aplenty, said the respective store managers, Mary Carruthers, and Manny Saenz.

Dollar General, open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, features summer clothes at 25 percent off regular prices. School supplies are also available.

Family Dollar stock includes backpacks, clothes and shoes. It's open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Dollar Tree, at Suite A, 800 E. Cedar St., where nothing costs more than $1, has paper, pens, pencils and the like. It's open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Wal-Mart SuperCenter, 1021 E. Pine St., open round the clock, has clothes, supplies, computers and computer software.

Computers are also available at PC Concepts, 501 E. Spruce St.

"I have been busy and expect to be more busy," Tom Barry said. "Pretty much everything I do here, except service, qualifies for tax-free. People ordering custom-made stuff have been in to place orders."

He has laptops and desktops. The Acer brand is popular and good, says Barry, working to become a Dell retailer and expecting business to boom a bit when Windows 7 is available in October. He's open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Call (575) 546-6112 for Sunday availability.

Unique Mode, 208 S. Gold, has women's fashion jeans for $12.99 and T-shirts for $5.99 and $6.99 , said Diana Novelo. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Kevin Buey can be reached at kbuey@demingheadlight.com.

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