It was Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, the day
after Christmas and traditionally one of the biggest shopping days of
the year. But local merchants had to sit back and watch while early-bird
customers drove across the state line to Charlotte to go
bargain-hunting.
Why? Because of the blue laws. South Carolina has them and North
Carolina doesn't. As a result, merchants in most of the Palmetto State
couldn't open their doors until 1:30 p.m. because the day after
Christmas happened to fall on a Sunday last year.
The York County Council had been approached about suspending the
restrictions for that Sunday alone. But there is confusion about whether
counties have the authority to do so. The state attorney general says
that county governments have such power, but York County Council, at
least, is reluctant to act on that opinion. Counties that collect
$900,000 a year or more in accommodations taxes enjoy an outright
exemption from Sunday opening restrictions, a threshold York County has
yet to reach.
But, finally, that may change. The state House of Representatives
passed a bill Tuesday that would give retail businesses across South
Carolina the right to open on Sunday as early as they like. The measure
has the enthusiastic support of the York County Regional Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors, which for years has pushed for an end to
Sunday opening laws.
Supporters, however, are careful to note that this bill would not
affect rules prohibiting Sunday alcohol sales. That, they say, is a
separate issue. Essentially, they don't want to muddy the waters. They
want to concentrate their efforts, for now at least, on the Sunday
opening law.
It is understandable that the chamber, not to mention the business
people it represents, would favor an end to the blue laws. The Sunday
opening law is eating the county's lunch. It is an annoyance to
citizens, a deterrent to economic development, an albatross around the
necks of local businesses and a drain on the wallets of taxpayers.
The state makes an exception for counties with a major tourism
industry, such as Myrtle Beach and Charleston. Lawmakers apparently are
savvy enough to know that tourists, many of them on weekend trips, don't
want to wait until 1:30 p.m. Sunday to start shopping.
But the blue laws hurt everyone else, especially counties such as
York County, which must compete with merchants across the state line.
The blue laws also hurt businesses along major highways, such as
Interstate 77, which depend on trade with motorists who are passing
through.
We are thankful that the House finally has responded to pleas from
the business community to get rid of these antiquated and unfair
restrictions. We hope the Senate will follow suit.
South Carolina businesses are tired of fighting for Sunday customers
with one hand tied behind their back.
