Stores look at options after blue laws change 8/19/2009 9:00 PM
By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer
Retail stores are asking themselves what time to open on Sundays when the repeal of blue laws goes into effect Sept. 13.
It did not take long for some to come up with an answer. Some are still thinking.
Wal-Mart spokesman Chris Neeley, adding that the retailer has supported the repeal since the start, said customers will find that they can buy whatever they want at both Aiken locations and the store in North Augusta starting Sept. 13. Until then, certain items like clothes and housewares are still restricted before 1:30 p.m. on Sundays.
On Tuesday, Aiken County Council shot down the laws but tacked on an amendment that the change not be implemented until September to allow stores time to adjust.
When the blue law repeal goes into effect, it will apply to the cities of Aiken and North Augusta, too.
Stores will not be forced to open or alter their operating hours if they do not choose to.
"Some businesses aren't going to change what they are doing. Some businesses might phase it (new operating hours) in, some will do it instantly and some only seasonally," said J. David Jameson, president and CEO of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce. "This will give ... stores a choice. I bet a lot of them will fall into a noon pattern."
PetSmart has already said it will open at 10 a.m. Sundays.
Home Depot spokesperson Craig Fishel said the home improvement store's district leadership will meet soon to discuss what the appropriate time is for the store to open on Sundays.
A spokesperson with K-Mart said it prefers to operate under typical store hours which means an 8 a.m. Sunday opening time.
Bed, Bath & Beyond repeated the statement it gave last week, saying that it will consider the convenience of its Aiken customers as its primary concern in determining whether an earlier Sunday opening time is appropriate, but a determination has not yet been made.
Some are concerned that those who attend church services on Sunday will be forced to work, even though the County ordinance and state law recognizes that no person conscientiously opposed to Sunday work should be required to work and any such employee has the option to refuse to work.
River of Life Church Pastor John Zimmerman said that prior to coming to Aiken, he saw that on many occasions members of his church in Minneapolis were unable to attend Sunday services because of the necessity to work.
"Some employers would be understanding and not schedule employees that wanted to go to church to work on Sunday, but that then creates resentment toward those employees by the employees that do work Sunday. It is just not a good situation," he said.
But, what about those who do not have to work? Will they choose shopping over church?
"My personal thought is that people determine what is and is not important. Spirituality is not determined by one's faithful attendance to a worship gathering on a Sunday morning at 10:30. Faithfulness to God is the priority, not the church attendance. I agree that Christians should assemble together ... however, I believe that if one is having to support his/her family and Sunday is a work day, then I believe God understands," Aiken Church of Christ Minister Brian McCutchen wrote in an e-mail. "If church attendance drops off due to the stores opening earlier on Sunday, then I say we as churches need to do a better job shepherding the flock."
Jameson said he hopes consumers will think positively about this and remember that if retail dollars are spent outside South Carolina, the sales tax does not trail back to school children here.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Posted by: Liberal4life On: Saturday, August 22, 2009 11:24 AM
Comment Title:
Republicans need to stop throwing stones at other people, living as they do in the glass house of hatred. They cornered the market on hate a long, long time ago. It isn't liberals who lead lynch parties, beat up hippies, demonize the opposition, and declare people who disagree with them subhuman. The Baron is NOT a liberal. He is a Libertarian. I am a Liberal who happens to believe in God. So I think you have displaced your anger falsely.
Report Abuse
Posted by: Donald L. Shearer On: Friday, August 21, 2009 2:28 PM
Comment Title:
Its a shame to talk about area pastors in such a way. They are leaders in the community. Its a shame for people to throw insults about. However we can forgive, that is a REAL conservative value and the liberals should remember we vote!
Report Abuse
Posted by: The Baron On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 6:16 PM
Comment Title:
Would a pastor please come forward and claim Donald Shearer. I would like to know what shepherd is overseeing the flock that this moron belongs to.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 6:14 PM
Comment Title:
Mr. Shearer - crime is already rampant and the black community leaders won't stand up and denounce the obscene amount of violent crime blacks are committing in Aiken.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 6:13 PM
Comment Title:
When did pastors become any type of official? You are delusional Mr. Shearer.
Report Abuse
Posted by: Donald L. Shearer On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 3:47 PM
Comment Title:
I hope people are happy now, when crime becomes rampant because of the disenegration of family values, you can thank the county council. I urge people to contact state senators and reps, pastors and other officials to put this genie back in the bottle before its too late. Whats next? Tearing down our houses of worship to make way for a strip mall? Families need and deserve a day to rest, reflect, learn and teach our conservative values. Many of us not only want our country back, but our county and city too.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 1:29 PM
Comment Title: YA KNOW
everyone doesn't worship on Sunday mornings. Some go Friday night or even Saturday's.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 12:54 PM
Comment Title: Bravo
Well said, Aiken Church of Christ Minister Brian McCutchen!!!
Report Abuse
Posted by: Elmer Pyewacket On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 11:21 AM
Comment Title: A Step Closer to the 21st Century
Well hallelujah, brothers and sisters! Aiken County has taken a step to move from the 15th Century toward (not "into," yet) the 21st Century.
Report Abuse
Posted by: On: Thursday, August 20, 2009 7:33 AM
Comment Title: Unexpected religious tolerance
Brian McCutchen's statement about God understanding if someone has to work on Sunday morning, along with his belief that being faithful does not hinge on attending church gives me hope that not all religious people are mindless drones who cannot see the shades of gray in this situation. Thank you for reminding us that what matters is where your heart is, not where your rear is. Thank you for not being judgmental.
Report Abuse
10