Westfield News: Back-To-School Deals, Bahama Breeze, Red Robin Updates

It's a big weekend for the Westfield Brandon shopping mall, where back-to-school shoppers are making good use of a tax break amid construction under way for the much-anticipated openings of  and .

Brandon Patch talked with Dawn Arvidson, the mall's marketing director, who said the 2012 Tax-Free Holiday for back-to-school shoppers has historically brought in "upwards of 30 percent" more shoppers than a typical weekend.

"All the stores have sales," she said. "If you want a good deal, this weekend is the weekend to do your shopping."

The mall is open Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3-4, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The mall is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The tax-free holiday weekend runs through Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

"We always have a spike for back-to-school shopping," Arvidson added. "You're going from season to season and retailers are clearncing out their summer merchandise and bringing in the new styles for fall."

In other news from Arvidson:

and are slated to open in October in the Restaurant Courtyard.

Visit the Dell computer kiosk in the center court, near the carousel, and enter a drawing to win a free computer. You'll be required to give your email to enter the random drawing. Entries will be accepted through the end of August.

is closed for remodeling but open for business in a temporary location by .

Newly opened Crazy 8 is a sister store to , "more economical than Gymboree," Arvidson said. It features "cute products for toddlers and kids through the elementary school grades."

Newly opened Route 21 is a back-to-school teen store near , selling clothes for boys and girls. For girls, Arvidson compares the product line to and Forever 21. Focus is on trendy, teen clothes.

The through August is offering for free haircuts for students in kindergarten through grade 6. Appointments are necessary. Call: 855-JCP-KIDS.

Yes, the Westfield Brandon mall is planning for an expansion, probably "within the next two years."