Most states have gotten rid of “blue laws,” or laws that forced businesses to close on Sundays for religious observances or “a day of rest.”  Blue laws pertain primarily to businesses that sell alcohol, as well as automobile sales and office supplies (really!).

For example, Arizona got rid of its liquor sales blue laws in 2010, which allows businesses to sell alcohol at 6 a.m. That’s important to a state that relies on travelers for a good portion of its revenue. Golfers who hit the links early in the morning and vacationers at the numerous resorts love to start the day with a cold bloody Mary or beer. Indiana, on the other hand, remains one of the only states that still prohibits liquor sales on Sundays (except in restaurants, wineries and breweries). Consumers still can’t buy cars on Sundays in Indiana, although in 2012, they gained the ability to buy motorcycles. Go figure. Most car dealerships in Ariz. stay open on Sundays, although a few will choose to close or offer shorter operating hours.

Large Retail Chains

Regardless of state laws that prohibit business on Sundays, some corporations choose to close on Sundays, even though they might lose revenue. Chick-Fil-A, Discount Tire, Bahama Buck’s and Hobby Lobby close on Sundays. If Sunday blue laws do not affect these businesses in certain states, they close by choice.

Why?

Many businesses cite religious reasons for closing on Sundays. Bahama Buck’s corporate office permits its stores to be open on Sundays, but a disclaimer on its Web site notes that many branches may be closed on Sunday. Chick-Fil-A says it has had a Sundays-closed policy since the first store opened in 1946, because the company wants its employees to have a day for rest and worship, if they choose. The privately owned Hobby Lobby has always closed on Sundays, and its site explains that it was built on biblical principles.

Sunday Losses

We’re wired for worship. Worship is expressed by what we do, said Ed Young JrHe believes one of the most important things parents can do for their kids is to involve them with Church. This means, of course, going to services and becoming actively engaged in prayer. Involvement, says Pastor Young, also means sending your children to Sunday school to learn about Christ, his teachings, and his moral lessons. Youth group trips and bake sales, while important, are not quite the same as attending Church services.

Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy told DailyFinance.com that the benefits of a Sunday-closed policy outweigh the financial losses the company takes by closing one day a week.

David Green, founder and CEO of Hobby Lobby, states on the company Web site that the $2 billion company maintains a 66-hour work week. The evangelical philanthropist is outspoken about his beliefs and support of a movement to put a Bible in every pair of hands in the world. And some could argue that his outspokenness has paid off for the company: Forbes reports that Hobby Lobby’s same-store sales increased 8.1 percent from 2008 to 2012. This happened during a time of a national economic crisis and political polarization, when few companies from the conservative right emerged as winners.

State legislatures continue to debate Sunday blue laws as retailers complain about lost revenues. Maine is pushing legislation through that would allow businesses that occupy 10,000 or more square feet to open on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, reports SundayBlueLaws.org. States with strict Sunday liquor laws, for example, lose revenue to bordering states with looser laws. To keep abreast of Sunday blue laws and the latest news, subscribe to SundayBlueNews.org’s newsletter and post your comments here.

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