Tax-free holiday creates traffic back up | News

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- The back to school tax-free holiday lured consumers to stores.

Traffic and rain did not stop shoppers on a mission Saturday afternoon.

Mimi Jones said, "Prices are great, but the crowds are awful."  Jones was shopping at the Premium Outlet Mall.

The outlet malls in St. Augustine were so busy that traffic was backed up onto State Road 16 and onto I-95 southbound.

A state trooper said traffic was backed up for  four miles on the interstate at one point.

Melissa Stokes said, "Traffic is unbelievable. I live two exits up. I've been on highway for 45 minutes."

Randy Nehring said, "It was ridiculous. I waited on 95 for 30 minutes to go three miles to get here."

He, like thousands, aimed for the outlet malls on the tax-free holiday weekend to grab a deal.

While some questioned if the deals were worth the wait, Nehring thought it was. "Yeah, because I saved 40 percent on shoes. I'm buying $100 shoes for $55 bucks and no tax."

The tax-free holiday continues Sunday.