Nov 25, 2009 5:53 pm US/Eastern
Blue Law Question Resurfaces On Thanksgiving
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Much as each Thanksgiving prompts many people to try new twists on an old tradition, such as turkey fryers, many shoppers wonder if the centuries-old blue laws in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should go the way of...well, many turkeys.
If this day before Thanksgiving is an indication of how busy retailers will be the day after, how busy would they be on Thanksgiving?
WBZ's Ron Sanders asked, "What do you think about blue laws that prohibit these stores from opening on holidays like that?"
"I don't agree with that because you should be able to shop whenever you want to shop," said Dorothy Bishop of Dorchester.
"I think that's awful. I think they should be allowed to open to shoppers," replied James Garner of Quincy.
"Absolutely," said Tom Moakler of Boston's South End.
Why?
"Because Friday's crazy. If you go on Thursday, it would be much easier."
"Let's get 'em open. Our economy needs it," declared Stanley Lewis of Hyde Park.
There are exemptions from the blue laws, such as pharmacies.
For example, CVS in Allston, like other drug stores, will be open from 7 to midnight (its pharmacy from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) Thanksgiving Day. "You are not allowed to compete with stores that are closed now for all the things that are non-emergency. You could go to fill a prescription but you can't go to buy a present or buy groceries," said Attorney General Martha Coakley.
Her office says, for the most part, drug stores have been following the law but if the office gets complaints, they'll investigate. The stores are given a list of about 20 categories of typical drug store and food items that can be sold on Thanksgiving plus plants, lottery tickets and tobacco.
While some consumers want lawmakers to repeal the blue laws, other shoppers don't.
Would you like to be able to shop at a store like this on Thanksgiving or Christmas? "No. I usually spend it with family," said Judy Delacruz of Lawrence.
Would you like to be able to shop at a store like this on Thanksgiving or Christmas? "No, I think everybody needs the day off," said Cheryl Deshaw of Danville, N.H.
The Old Navy store in Methuen will be closed on Thanksgiving, but is referring customers to one just across the New Hampshire line that will be open. Even so, several New Hampshire shoppers at the Methuen store told us they'll be spending the day with family.
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