Bergen County NJ. No shopping allowed on Sunday (1 Viewer)

[Righetti]

I realize that the blue laws are a bigger deal to the Bergen County FBGs because they all live in the rich/northern part of the county of course.

(Southern Bergen is easier, cuz like I said you hope on route 3 and your in Clifton in a jiffy).

The other fun fact about the area is that the 4/17 interchange is so dreaded that chains like Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. can have locations that are literally 1 mile from each other with no overlap in clientele (because there are people who simply refuse to pass through the 4/17 nightmare).

-QG

I work right at the building that sits right on the ramp where 4W dumps onto 17N. Fortunately, I never have traffic because I'm coming from the other direction in the morning, and I leave before rush hour hits. But at Christmas time, holy good God. I gotta get out of here by 3pm or my 20 minute ride home turns into an hour.

Wouldn't even want to imagine it on a Saturday...

Tell me you at least have a window office where you can watch the chaos unfold each day

-QG

Nah, our windows are in back of the building so we have a great view of the parking lot

I sold knives when I got out of high-school one summer and our regional office was right off of the ramp where you go from 4 west to 17th north.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I realize that the blue laws are a bigger deal to the Bergen County FBGs because they all live in the rich/northern part of the county of course.

(Southern Bergen is easier, cuz like I said you hope on route 3 and your in Clifton in a jiffy).

The other fun fact about the area is that the 4/17 interchange is so dreaded that chains like Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. can have locations that are literally 1 mile from each other with no overlap in clientele (because there are people who simply refuse to pass through the 4/17 nightmare).

-QG

I work right at the building that sits right on the ramp where 4W dumps onto 17N. Fortunately, I never have traffic because I'm coming from the other direction in the morning, and I leave before rush hour hits. But at Christmas time, holy good God. I gotta get out of here by 3pm or my 20 minute ride home turns into an hour.

Wouldn't even want to imagine it on a Saturday...

Tell me you at least have a window office where you can watch the chaos unfold each day

-QG

Nah, our windows are in back of the building so we have a great view of the parking lot

I sold knives when I got out of high-school one summer and our regional office was right off of the ramp where you go from 4 west to 17th north.

People having access to knives close to that interchange seems like a bad idea

-QG

 

[NCCommish]

We had blue laws in Florida when I was a kid. I don't recall it ever being an issue. I think it's fine. Not like you can't get necessities.

It's an inconvenience. You have no idea how ludicrous it is to not be able to go to a hardware store on a weekend to pick up something as normal as a snow shovel or a box of nails to hang up a photo

As I said I lived with these when I was younger. You planned ahead or you waited a day. Not really a big deal.

It might have felt differently back then because there were probably many other counties/states that had these laws on the books.but for good reason every single state or county in the country has gotten rid of them since the 60's. The only one left in the entire country is Bergen CountyYou may not have cared then because you didn't realize that it could be a legit option since it probably wasn't any option in the rest of the state but if you were told today that you were not allowed to buy a pair of socks you'd be floored

Actually I very rarely shop on Sundays. Doubt I'd even notice for a while.

 

[NCCommish]

By the way Bergen is not the only place with blue laws. They exist in many states. And some even add holidays when stores can't be open.

 

[comfortably numb]

only thing worse than the blue law is the no booze on Sunday before noon.

WTF

 

[NCCommish]

only thing worse than the blue law is the no booze on Sunday before noon.

WTF

That's how it is here. Stock up Saturday if you just have to have beer for breakfast.

 

[Righetti]

By the way Bergen is not the only place with blue laws. They exist in many states. And some even add holidays when stores can't be open.

I saw a Facebook link that said Bergen was the only county left with strict blue laws. It was a FB link so take it with a grain on salt but do you know of others??

 

[Righetti]

@NCCommish

From Wiki

Bergen County, New Jersey, is the last remaining county that prohibits the sale of clothing, shoes, furniture, home appliances and certain other items on Sundays for secular reasons voted to keep by residents through numerous referendums. Paramus, New Jersey, bans any type of employment except necessary items like food, gasoline, entertainment venues, and hotels.[citation needed]

 

[NutterButter]

@NCCommish

From Wiki

Bergen County, New Jersey, is the last remaining county that prohibits the sale of clothing, shoes, furniture, home appliances and certain other items on Sundays for secular reasons voted to keep by residents through numerous referendums. Paramus, New Jersey, bans any type of employment except necessary items like food, gasoline, entertainment venues, and hotels.[citation needed]

At least it was by referendum. blame your neighbors.

 

[jonessed]

The clear response here should be death threats.

 

[Ned]

Even stores that sell groceries and other thing a have entire aisles that are barricaded off on Sunday's.

You can go to Costco for a case of crackers and a fifty pack of diet pop but you can't buy a hammock

how fn ridiculous

 

[Cjw_55106]

I'm not saying you are wrong Righetti, but for as much as this seems to bother you, why not move?

 

[MC Gas Money]

We had blue laws in Florida when I was a kid. I don't recall it ever being an issue. I think it's fine. Not like you can't get necessities.

It's an inconvenience. You have no idea how ludicrous it is to not be able to go to a hardware store on a weekend to pick up something as normal as a snow shovel or a box of nails to hang up a photo

Why would he need a snow shovel in Florida?

 

[Righetti]

I'm not saying you are wrong Righetti, but for as much as this seems to bother you, why not move?

if it weren't for the fact we have family nearby who helps with my three kids we would have..

I lived in Bergen County as a kid and it never bothered me but after having had it good for 15 years, it feels really backwards to having to go the other way..

 

[Righetti]

We had blue laws in Florida when I was a kid. I don't recall it ever being an issue. I think it's fine. Not like you can't get necessities.

It's an inconvenience. You have no idea how ludicrous it is to not be able to go to a hardware store on a weekend to pick up something as normal as a snow shovel or a box of nails to hang up a photo

Why would he need a snow shovel in Florida?

always assumed he was in North Carolina (NCCommish) but I guess the NC stands for something else..

since the snow-shovel isn't relevant, how about if you put on some weight and bust your ### through your only pair of speedos and then you weren't allowed to buy a new one because it's a Sunday

 

[comfortably numb]

Even stores that sell groceries and other thing a have entire aisles that are barricaded off on Sunday's.

You can go to Costco for a case of crackers and a fifty pack of diet pop but you can't buy a hammock

That is so odd.

Didn't realize places like that were opened and barricaded off.

Probably has becomes one of those things that people feel is helping Bergen Co small business but in fact hurting them as people just drive to Passaic/Essex/Rockland Co for their needs on a SUN.

Causing that small business in Bergen Co to lose that business all together.

 

[OC Zed]

I realize that the blue laws are a bigger deal to the Bergen County FBGs because they all live in the rich/northern part of the county of course.

(Southern Bergen is easier, cuz like I said you hope on route 3 and your in Clifton in a jiffy).

The other fun fact about the area is that the 4/17 interchange is so dreaded that chains like Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. can have locations that are literally 1 mile from each other with no overlap in clientele (because there are people who simply refuse to pass through the 4/17 nightmare).

-QG

I work right at the building that sits right on the ramp where 4W dumps onto 17N. Fortunately, I never have traffic because I'm coming from the other direction in the morning, and I leave before rush hour hits. But at Christmas time, holy good God. I gotta get out of here by 3pm or my 20 minute ride home turns into an hour.

Wouldn't even want to imagine it on a Saturday...

Tell me you at least have a window office where you can watch the chaos unfold each day

-QG

Nah, our windows are in back of the building so we have a great view of the parking lot

I sold knives when I got out of high-school one summer and our regional office was right off of the ramp where you go from 4 west to 17th north.

Righetti gave me a set of knives as a wedding gift.

 

[OC Zed]

By the way Bergen is not the only place with blue laws. They exist in many states. And some even add holidays when stores can't be open.

This fact doesn't boot strap these laws into making any sense.

 

[Righetti]

Even stores that sell groceries and other thing a have entire aisles that are barricaded off on Sunday's.

You can go to Costco for a case of crackers and a fifty pack of diet pop but you can't buy a hammock

That is so odd.

Didn't realize places like that were opened and barricaded off.

Probably has becomes one of those things that people feel is helping Bergen Co small business but in fact hurting them as people just drive to Passaic/Essex/Rockland Co for their needs on a SUN.

Causing that small business in Bergen Co to lose that business all together.

I'm a perfect example of this.. I only have two days to run my chores, I do my best to do it on Saturday but sometimes life gets in the way.. 40% of the time I trek up to Rockland County and shop up there..

there was one Sunday after Hurricane Sandy where they cancelled the Blue Laws for a week and surprise/surprise the world didn't end.. you'd think they would smart up and see that they are losing business for their county with these idiotic laws

government overreach at its finest

 

[Cjw_55106]

I know a guy in the Twin Cities that owned a half dozen liquor stores (he sold them in the recent past). He was very happy the stores couldnt be opened on Sundays and didnt want the laws to change. Many liquor stores are small business and it was his only day off. Of course, laws shouldnt be made to accommodate individuals, but he was happy with it.

 

[msommer]

Not allowing liquor sales in your local super market. That's another stupid idea

 

[NutterButter]

Even stores that sell groceries and other thing a have entire aisles that are barricaded off on Sunday's.

You can go to Costco for a case of crackers and a fifty pack of diet pop but you can't buy a hammock

That is so odd.

Didn't realize places like that were opened and barricaded off.

Probably has becomes one of those things that people feel is helping Bergen Co small business but in fact hurting them as people just drive to Passaic/Essex/Rockland Co for their needs on a SUN.

Causing that small business in Bergen Co to lose that business all together.

I'm a perfect example of this.. I only have two days to run my chores, I do my best to do it on Saturday but sometimes life gets in the way.. 40% of the time I trek up to Rockland County and shop up there..

there was one Sunday after Hurricane Sandy where they cancelled the Blue Laws for a week and surprise/surprise the world didn't end.. you'd think they would smart up and see that they are losing business for their county with these idiotic laws

government overreach at its finest

i thought this was decided by referendum?

 

[Mr. Ected]

Not allowing liquor sales in your local super market. That's another stupid idea

Here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, liquor is sold by the gov't. Beer and wine are available in grocery store, just no Jack or vodka.

I grew up in MA, where up until sometime in the 80's/90's they had Blue Laws too. First they had the no sales on Sunday, then they moved to no sales before noon, then they got rid of it.

They also had the no liquor sales on Sunday.

I always thought it was curious how they allowed exceptions to the Blue Laws. Liquor was able to be sold on Sunday if you were within a couple miles of the border with New Hampshire.

My favorite was the fact that they allowed stores to be open during the Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I guess Jesus took a blind eye to Santa stocking up!

 

[cstu]

Land of the free.

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

Not allowing liquor sales in your local super market. That's another stupid idea

Here in the Commonwealth of Virginia, liquor is sold by the gov't. Beer and wine are available in grocery store, just no Jack or vodka.

I grew up in MA, where up until sometime in the 80's/90's they had Blue Laws too. First they had the no sales on Sunday, then they moved to no sales before noon, then they got rid of it.

They also had the no liquor sales on Sunday.

I always thought it was curious how they allowed exceptions to the Blue Laws. Liquor was able to be sold on Sunday if you were within a couple miles of the border with New Hampshire.

My favorite was the fact that they allowed stores to be open during the Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I guess Jesus took a blind eye to Santa stocking up!

The State of Washington only got rid of its stupid state-run liquor retail operation in the past couple of years. It only did so because it was forced by referendum.

 

[cstu]

you can't buy a hammock

Wouldn't want people using one of those on a Sunday.

 

[Righetti]

I wonder how you get this onto a new referendum ballot..

if the state wants to close it's budget deficit, maybe time to put some pressure on the county to open up their regulations.. valuable sales tax dollars ending up in Rockland County..

 

[NutterButter]

I wonder how you get this onto a new referendum ballot..

if the state wants to close it's budget deficit, maybe time to put some pressure on the county to open up their regulations.. valuable sales tax dollars ending up in Rockland County..

I think you just need to start a petition and get people to sign it. Doing some quick research, it sounds like you need signatures of 10% of the registered voters in the county so you need about 50k signatures. Good luck with that. Since you can't go shopping on Sundays, you should have the time to tackle this. It looks like they started a petition in 2013, but since there's nothing I can find regarding a referendum that year on this, i guess they didn't get enough signatures.

 

[QuizGuy66]

Last tried in 2013: http://www.northjersey.com/news/blue-laws-question-not-likely-to-get-on-ballot-1.689833

It's 10% of the previous general election (if the measure has been proposed and defeated before).

An off/off year like 2015 will have the lowest turnout and probably create the lowest threshhold - 168,000 or so ballots were cast in 2011, which would give a 16,800 or so threshhold.

Having said that, the group in '13 only got like 2500 signatures.

And it'd probably lose.

Not sure where things are at in terms of Xanadu being allowed to be open on Sunday when it opens in 2038.

-QG

 

[NutterButter]

Last tried in 2013: http://www.northjersey.com/news/blue-laws-question-not-likely-to-get-on-ballot-1.689833

It's 10% of the previous general election (if the measure has been proposed and defeated before).

An off/off year like 2015 will have the lowest turnout and probably create the lowest threshhold - 168,000 or so ballots were cast in 2011, which would give a 16,800 or so threshhold.

Having said that, the group in '13 only got like 2500 signatures.

And it'd probably lose.

Not sure where things are at in terms of Xanadu being allowed to be open on Sunday when it opens in 2038.

-QG

What a disaster

 

[Righetti]

Last tried in 2013: http://www.northjersey.com/news/blue-laws-question-not-likely-to-get-on-ballot-1.689833

It's 10% of the previous general election (if the measure has been proposed and defeated before).

An off/off year like 2015 will have the lowest turnout and probably create the lowest threshhold - 168,000 or so ballots were cast in 2011, which would give a 16,800 or so threshhold.

Having said that, the group in '13 only got like 2500 signatures.

And it'd probably lose.

Not sure where things are at in terms of Xanadu being allowed to be open on Sunday when it opens in 2038.

-QG

What a disaster

got to love that even if they get an exception, shopping there before Christmas on a Sunday will still be impossible with an NFL game played virtually every sunday from September through the end of December

 

[MC Gas Money]

We had blue laws in Florida when I was a kid. I don't recall it ever being an issue. I think it's fine. Not like you can't get necessities.

It's an inconvenience. You have no idea how ludicrous it is to not be able to go to a hardware store on a weekend to pick up something as normal as a snow shovel or a box of nails to hang up a photo

Why would he need a snow shovel in Florida?

always assumed he was in North Carolina (NCCommish) but I guess the NC stands for something else..

since the snow-shovel isn't relevant, how about if you put on some weight and bust your ### through your only pair of speedos and then you weren't allowed to buy a new one because it's a Sunday

Only otis could split spandex with those cauliflower thighs

 

[MC Gas Money]

you can't buy a hammock

Wouldn't want people using one of those on a Sunday.

Wouldnt be a problem if he worked for Hank Scorpio

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I know a guy in the Twin Cities that owned a half dozen liquor stores (he sold them in the recent past). He was very happy the stores couldnt be opened on Sundays and didnt want the laws to change. Many liquor stores are small business and it was his only day off. Of course, laws shouldnt be made to accommodate individuals, but he was happy with it.

Or, you know, he could just decide for himself to open or not on Sundays. No need to legislate it.

 

[Michael Brown]

I realize that the blue laws are a bigger deal to the Bergen County FBGs because they all live in the rich/northern part of the county of course.

(Southern Bergen is easier, cuz like I said you hope on route 3 and your in Clifton in a jiffy).

The other fun fact about the area is that the 4/17 interchange is so dreaded that chains like Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. can have locations that are literally 1 mile from each other with no overlap in clientele (because there are people who simply refuse to pass through the 4/17 nightmare).

-QG

I work right at the building that sits right on the ramp where 4W dumps onto 17N. Fortunately, I never have traffic because I'm coming from the other direction in the morning, and I leave before rush hour hits. But at Christmas time, holy good God. I gotta get out of here by 3pm or my 20 minute ride home turns into an hour.

Wouldn't even want to imagine it on a Saturday...

Tell me you at least have a window office where you can watch the chaos unfold each day

-QG

Nah, our windows are in back of the building so we have a great view of the parking lot

I sold knives when I got out of high-school one summer and our regional office was right off of the ramp where you go from 4 west to 17th north.

Big white office building? No entrance from the highway? That's the one

 

[RedmondLonghorn]

I know a guy in the Twin Cities that owned a half dozen liquor stores (he sold them in the recent past). He was very happy the stores couldnt be opened on Sundays and didnt want the laws to change. Many liquor stores are small business and it was his only day off. Of course, laws shouldnt be made to accommodate individuals, but he was happy with it.

Or, you know, he could just decide for himself to open or not on Sundays. No need to legislate it.

Get the #### out of here with that crazy talk.