Oh yeah, it's getting to be back-to-school time.
Stores are advertising stuff for dorm rooms and making room for the pencils, notebooks, index cards and folders that will soon start flying off the shelves.
Teachers will start getting ready soon, too, and to start things off, United Art and Education is hosting its 22nd annual Teacher Appreciation Days, Monday through Sept. 3.
Because teachers spend a lot of their own money on classroom supplies, United Art and Education will give away hundreds of dollars in gift certificates and prizes at its stores during this event to help them get started on a new school year.
It starts with Mystery Envelope Monday. Beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, the first 100 customers at each store will get an envelope containing a $5, $10 or $20 gift certificate. No purchase is necessary, and every envelope is a winner.
The first 2,000 customers at each location also will get a free school-year desk calendar.
Also on Monday and Aug. 18, United Art and Education will offer Bonus Bucks for purchases of $50 or more. For each $50 spent, customers will get $10 in Bonus Bucks to use on a purchase in September.
Teachers can add $500 worth of supplies to their classrooms by signing up for the United Art and Education gift card giveaway. Five customers companywide will each win $500. One customer per store will win $200. One $500 prize will be given away online.
During the entire event, teachers can save up to 30 percent on different specials each week. For more information, go to www.unitednow.com/tad.aspx. For additional savings, bonus coupons are offered online at www.unitednow.com/coupons.aspx.
In Fort Wayne, the store is at 4111 N. Clinton St. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
United Art and Education is headquartered in Fort Wayne and also does its online and mail-order business from a distribution center here.
