Why can't you buy clothes on Sunday in New Jersey?

Asked by: Adrienne Wilderman  |  Last update: March 8, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (14 votes)

Also known as the Blue Laws (originally written on blue paper - hence the name) NJSA 2A:171-5.8 prohibits the sale on Sunday of clothing or wearing apparel, building and lumber supply materials, furniture, home, business or office furnishings, household, business or office appliance.

What is the Sunday law in New Jersey?

On March 19, 2019 the state Legislature passed a law abolishing the blue law in the state. The bill was then signed by Governor Doug Burgum on March 25, 2019. The blue law expired on August 1, 2019 and the first Sunday with legal morning sales was August 4, 2019.

Why are stores closed in Jersey on Sundays?

The blue laws, NJSA 2A:171-5.8 originally written on blue paper according to the Wyckoff town website, and have been in place since the 17th century. They prohibit the sale of nonessential items on Sundays in the county, such as furniture, appliances, clothing, building and lumber supply materials, and cars.

What were laws that prohibited stores from opening on Sundays called?

Blue laws (also known as Sunday laws, Sunday trade laws, and Sunday closing laws) are laws restricting or banning certain activities on specified days, usually Sundays in the western world. The laws were adopted originally for religious reasons, specifically to promote the observance of the Christian day of worship.

Why does Bergen County not sell clothes on Sunday?

The laws date back to the 1600s, originally stemming from religious beliefs, and became part of New Jersey's “Act to Suppress Vice and Immorality.” Over the years, there have been attempts to overturn the laws, but strong opposition to traffic in certain towns thwarted those efforts, leaving Bergen County as the last ...

CLOTHING I'M NOT BUYING IN 2025 (No-Buy List)

27 related questions found

Is it illegal to buy clothes on Sunday in New Jersey?

On Sunday, it shall be unlawful for any person whether it be at retail, wholesale or by auction, to sell, attempt to sell or offer to sell or to engage in the business of selling clothing or wearing apparel, building and lumber supply materials, furniture, home or business or office furnishings, household, business or ...

What is the Sunday Blue Law?

Blue law is a colloquial term for state statute or ordinance that forbids or regulates entertainment and commercial activities (ex. sale of liquor) on Sundays or religious holidays. Blue laws can also be referred to as Sunday closing laws , Sabbath laws, and uniform day of rest laws.

Why is it illegal to buy alcohol on Sunday?

As state and local governments cannot rely on religious reasons for the ban on Sunday alcohol sales, the justification for these restrictions must come from other factors, which include public health and safety concerns, and curbing excessive alcohol consumption and its consequences.

Which states have Sunday laws?

California and Oregon, it was reported on this day, were the only states in the nation without a “Sunday” law. “Sunday”, or “Sunday Closing,” or “Blue” laws in the other 46 states mandated observance of the Christian Sabbath, primarily by prohibiting businesses from being open on Sunday.

What was it called when everything was closed on Sunday?

'Blue laws' kept stores closed to comply with Sabbath day. ELLWOOD CITY -- There used to be laws banning businesses from being open on Sundays; they were called "blue laws" and were put in place to accommodate the Christian Sabbath. The first such law was enacted in 1617 in Virginia.

What is the blue law in NJ?

In New Jersey, blue laws have existed since the 1700s. However, as of 1959, each county has the ability to decide whether to enforce them. Over the years, all but Bergen County have abandoned the Sunday shopping bans, which prohibit the sale of clothes, jewelry, cars, home-improvement and other select goods.

Why are malls closed on Sundays?

There isn't much traffic Sunday evenings. Most people have work or school on Monday, so people are home, getting ready for the work week. Having the stores open when foot traffic is commonly low is a money loss for the stores. It also allows for deep cleaning while customers are absent.

Where are Blue Laws still in effect?

Restricting motor vehicle sales is one of the most common remaining blue laws by states. Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania restrict the sale of motor vehicles on Sunday, though some states have loopholes and exceptions.

Why cant you buy a car on Sunday in NJ?

The ban on car sales on Sundays can be traced back to colonial laws, often called "Blue Laws", which were originally intended to enforce religious standards and restricted certain activities during times where people were expected to attend church services.

Why are clothing stores closed on Sunday in NJ?

Also known as the Blue Laws (originally written on blue paper - hence the name) NJSA 2A:171-5.8 prohibits the sale on Sunday of clothing or wearing apparel, building and lumber supply materials, furniture, home, business or office furnishings, household, business or office appliance.

Why is it called blue law?

blue law, in U.S. history, a law forbidding certain secular activities on Sunday. The name may derive from Samuel A. Peters's General History of Connecticut (1781), which purported to list the stiff Sabbath regulations at New Haven, Connecticut; the work was printed on blue paper.

What state can you not buy a car on Sunday?

Car sales on Sundays are banned in 12 states: Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Maine, Mississippi, Louisiana, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Which states don't sell alcohol on Sunday?

What states don't sell alcohol on Sundays?
  • Montana.
  • Utah.
  • Oklahoma.
  • Tennessee.
  • North Carolina.
  • Pennsylvania.

What is the meaning of Blue Sunday?

Annual Blue Sunday - A Day of Prayer for Abused Children. and Those Who Rescue Them - ​ April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and to remember the millions of children who are victims of abuse/neglect, Blue Sunday Child Abuse Prevention is asking the faith community to pray on Sunday, April 28, 2024. ​

Can grocery stores sell alcohol in NJ?

Supermarkets, convenience stores, and gas stations in New Jersey rarely sell alcoholic beverages because state law prohibits any person or corporation from possessing more than two retail distribution licenses. While licenses for bars, restaurants and liquor stores are limited, other retail licenses are not.

Why does Texas not sell liquor on Sunday?

Prohibition-era law prevents sale of liquor on Sundays

The Sunday rule dates back to 1935 when, according to the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Legislature passed the Texas Liquor Control Act in response to the repeal of Prohibition.

What are the blue laws in NY?

New York's alcohol restrictions — part of the so-called Blue Laws — date to the Prohibition era when booze was banned and Sunday was considered a day of rest and religious worship. The state has taken a number of steps in the past two decades to relax the laws, initially by letting package stores open on Sundays.

Does New Jersey have blue laws?

New Jersey's blue laws, prohibiting work on Sundays, have been on the books since the 1600s.

In what states can you buy alcohol 24 hours a day?

Nevada, in contrast to its neighbor Utah, is the only state where you can buy alcohol any hour of the day. Unlike other states with a designated time that bars must close (usually 1 to 4 a.m.), Nevada has no required "last call."

Who changed the Sabbath Day to Sunday?

Sunday was another work day in the Roman Empire. On March 7, 321, however, Roman Emperor Constantine I issued a civil decree making Sunday a day of rest from labor, stating: All judges and city people and the craftsmen shall rest upon the venerable day of the sun.