Blue Laws are out in Aiken County

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By Dustin Blanchard dblanchard@nbcaugusta.com

Story Published: Aug 18, 2009 at 10:26 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 18, 2009 at 10:26 PM EST

AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. - Tuesday, the Aiken County Council lifted the county's blue laws.

Starting September 13th, you can shop 'til you drop for almost anything on Sunday mornings in Aiken County.

Van Smith says as a consumer this is a huge victory, but as the owner of Lionel Smith Ltd., he says it won't change much.

"Instead of opening at 1:30 p.m. I might open at 1:00 between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it won't be an issue for us," Smith said.

"There's several businesses that probably will take immediate advantage, but part will be a progression," said Brian Tucker, the director of North Augusta's Chamber of Commerce.

He says it will take a while to gauge demand, but business owners agree, it's good to have a choice.

"I don't think the government has a right to tell me when I can be open and when I can't," said Smith.

 


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Friday, Aug 28 at 11:54 AM GA Cubs fan wrote ...

Finally, the council recognized how unjust it is to regulate when a business can and cannot sell its wares. Why should Sunday be different than any other day? People go to church Wednesday nights and sometimes other evenings, yet businesses are permitted to sell their items during those times. Being a merchant trying to make a living in a tough economy is not sacrilegious. It is simply sensible.

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Friday, Aug 21 at 12:12 PM jackson wrote ...

"poeple need to be @church on sunday moring"..others need to be out purchasing a dictionary jimmie!Not everyone attends church on every Sunday and we should have a choice of hours to shop.

28069516 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Aug 21 at 2:15 AM Anonymous wrote ...

People don't get mad,it was about time to get with the new era.The world is changing everyday,whether you like it or not.I'm new to the area and couldn't believe that I couldn't buy,what I wanted when I wanted it!! That tripped me out.I had to tell my friends and family about that.They asked me what part of the South,I was living in.They call SC, Hicksville still living back in the day.We all had a good laugh.I started shopping in Ga,where I can buy what I want,when I want it.

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Wednesday, Aug 19 at 4:44 PM jimmie wrote ...

i think this this was a bad choice on the county side. poeple need to be in church on sunday moring not out shopping. when it comes election time we need to vote out the hold county council. may god bless us all. jimmie

27976662 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Aug 19 at 10:17 AM Really? wrote ...

When they interviewed business owners about this they were all "it will be good for us, more money for sc". They dont open till 10 or 11 anyway, and now you heard it from this business: "We MIGHT open at one". Yeah 30 min is going to bring the big bucks to aiken county. I would like to see some numbers in 6-12 months of how much more money we raked in on sunday mornings.

27956637 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Wednesday, Aug 19 at 8:03 AM fred wrote ...

Finally , the blue law is about to be recended, AMEN. To much Government control is not a Democracy . Pretty soon we would be USSA . I am sure the state can use the extra revenue , I myself have shopped in GA. on occations because of it . My newest vehicle came from GA. Fred

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