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From: wcs@ho95b.UUCP (Bill Stewart)
Newsgroups: net.legal,net.politics,net.religion
Subject: Re: Sunday Shopping
Message-ID: <454@ho95b.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 4-Jun-85 18:03:37 EDT
Article-I.D.: ho95b.454
Posted: Tue Jun  4 18:03:37 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 6-Jun-85 02:55:19 EDT
References: <646@whuxl.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
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Xref: watmath net.legal:1762 net.politics:9258 net.religion:7035

In New Jersey, blue laws are (now, at least) local or county laws, and can
only be repealed by referendum.  When I moved here 7 years ago, the
grocery stores could be open on Sundays, but there were large roped-off
areas (you can buy food, but not light-bulbs or paint, but paper towels
are ok, but ....).  A couple years ago a referendum was held in
most counties in the state; the main forces behind it were the
big shopping malls (pro-repeal), and the small retailers
(anti-repeal).  The small retailers were concerned that they
couldn't really afford to stay open on Sundays, and would lose
out to the malls.  Well, except for a few places up north, they
got repealed, and the small retailers are still mostly closed on
Sunday, losing business to the malls.  (Who said that small
businesses are in favor of free enterprise? :~))  In the mean
time, I can now buy light bulbs if they burn out on Sunday.

Liquor laws are irrational everywhere; in New Jersey the local
governments have control over what hours Sunday sales are
permitted; they're gradually loosening up.