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by Guy Page
Today 46 years ago, Vermont shoppers revolted against the state’s blue laws.
A defiant burst of last-minute Christmas shopping marked a turning point in Vermont retail history on this date, December 22, in 1979, when several major stores openly violated the state’s long-standing Sunday “blue laws.”
According to a WCAX report, at the time, Vermont law required most retail businesses to close on Sundays. With only a few days remaining before Christmas, however, large retailers including Gaynes Shoppers World opened their doors anyway, drawing large crowds and the attention of law enforcement.
According to contemporaneous reporting by WCAX-TV, approximately 400 shoppers entered Gaynes Shoppers World within minutes of its noon opening. Shortly thereafter, South Burlington Police Sgt. John Kruger arrived at the store, purchased a single 39-cent candy bar, and issued a citation to the business for violating the Sunday closing statute.
The incident became emblematic of growing resistance to the blue laws among both retailers and consumers, who argued the restrictions were outdated and economically harmful. Rather than complying, Vermont retailers challenged the law in court.
The dispute ultimately reached the Vermont Supreme Court, which in 1982 struck down the Sunday closing law, ruling it unconstitutional. The decision effectively ended blue laws in Vermont and permanently changed the state’s retail landscape, allowing stores to operate seven days a week.
The term “blue laws” may derive from the 1781 book by Samuel A. Peters, which listed strict Sabbath regulations and was printed on blue paper. Another theory suggests that “blue” referred to a rigidly moral stance in a disparaging sense during the 18th century
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Categories: Business
I agree that forcing a business to close is unconstitutional, and is an agregious attempt for government to control private business, and should have been allowed. THAT SAID – I believe that the closing of business for (at least) one day a week is a healthy structure for our society. If all businesses (for example) closed on Sunday, nobody has an advantage over another. The idea was designed to spend time with family, rest, and if you are religious spending time with God ( like going to church ). Every business that stays open, forces it’s employees to work, even if there preference would be to have that day off. Certainly this should not be regulated by the government, and a wise decision by Supreme Court.
Off topic for a moment – just look at how long the Blue Laws existed in Vermont that were totally unconstitutional. Now consider other laws (State and Federal) that have no right to exist Constitutionally ! People allow unconstitutional laws to go forward based on unconstitutional presidence all the time. WE THE PEOPLE have a responsibility to keep that from happening !
I kinda remember many years ago, that you couldn’t buy beer till after noon on Sundays. I may be wrong but it’s been a long time. If this isn’t right, please refresh my memory.
Bars had a 1am closing time on saturday night, but 2am on all others. All large stores based on square footage were closed on Sunday according to the “blue laws”.
Not sure how closing the bars at 1am insured good Church attendance, but the law was deemed to be religion-based and abolished. No liquor sales allowed on Sunday, before 2017 in Vermont, but any stores that want to be closed on Sunday still can be. Family-owned Chik-fil-a is still closed on Sundays, even those in airports. That might help with Church attendance. Can’t imagine there are any of those in Vermont, as they would have more picketers than customers. I always like to patronize one when traveling.
When I was young, back during the Blue Law time, I thought it was unnecessary and mildly irritating. Now that I’m a geezer, I remember how quiet and peaceful it was and wish it could be like that again.
Yes, it was an awful inconvenience & perchance even government overreach! It was also a vastly better era in time in light of the restriction when Americans were enabled to spend more time with family, reflect upon the Sabbath & maybe even attending church, and the relative peacefulness of the countryside with its church bells a-ringing was one of the only things that disrupted that silence.
The world certainly changes around us and some believe it is for the best and some don’t. I still perk my coffee on top the stove, do dishes by hand, build my own furniture, and don’t own a cell phone. I guess that I’m the old hippy that don’t know what to do, should I hang on to the old or should I grab on to the new……..
I remember 25 years ago going to a grocery store in Rhode Island and not being able to buy beer on Sunday because something, something religion but I was more than welcome to go the restaurant next door and pay five times as much to drink at the bar which was legal. Any law based on religion was intended not to serve god, but special interests and doesn’t belong.
Whether you regard these laws antiquated or quaint, Vermont has done away with them. Currently in Maine, it is illegal to hunt on Sunday.
But they closed Vermont and put people in jail for being open during Covid!!!!!!
And everybody was a. O.k. With that!!!!!!!
Blue laws do make sense, we need a day of rest. Do we have to have a law? Perhaps that isn’t the correct way, perhaps a voluntary schedule. Maybe reduced hours on Sunday? Ski areas have major business on Sunday, everything is not the same.
Perhaps not chasing the almighty dollar, booze, drugs and fast living every day of the week isn’t too much to ask either.
How about family time? How about learning about Jesus Christ? When are you going to make time for these things?
There is a natural rhythm in life, going against the tide does nobody any good, there is enough grind in our world.
With blue laws, the stores are open longer prompting more help. Using part time help, the store need not pay any benefits protecting their bottom line.
I was speaking to a clergyman yesterday who is a runner. He was considering training for a race to further his personal running program. He was unable to find one at any time other than Sunday morning. That nixed his plans. Is this progress?