What "Blue Laws" are in effect where you live ?

Lamplighter · 10-14-2011, 01:24 PM

Years ago (many) we lived in Dallas, and stores were closed on Sundays,
or had aisles roped off so only certain goods could be purchased.
We moved to Boston, and same thing there, only much more so.

PDX TV also covers Vancouver, WA, and we are seeing both pro/con ads
for a ballot measure to close Washington's State-operated liquor stores,
and to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold in stores.
I don't know if it would be only "liquor stores", or groceries and stop-n-robs, too.

Oregon has state-operated liquor stores too, so I'm sure the measure will come up here too.

What other types of Blue Laws are (still) in effect where you live ?

Sundae · 10-14-2011, 01:30 PM

Nothing to do with "blue laws" here.
I don't know what they are, but I get the gist.

We can't buy alcohol before 08.30 or after 23.00 in shops.
In bars it depends on their license.

Crimson Ghost · 10-14-2011, 01:40 PM

Here in Bergen County, blue laws are still in effect, but it seems that most towns tend to let stores open on Sundays if they want.

In Paramus, the legislation to repeal the blue laws has always been defeated. Considering there are seven malls in Paramus, that's no surprise.

After the recent hurricane, locals couldn't buy new sump pumps because the stores were closed under blue laws.

Lamplighter · 10-14-2011, 01:40 PM

Sundae, until I googled them, I thought they came from England with the colonists.
But I guess they actually started in the Connecticut Colony,
as laws passed to enforce local religious beliefs.

glatt · 10-14-2011, 01:41 PM

In Virginia, the state runs the liquor stores, but you can get beer and wine at the grocery store. Talk here too about privatizing the liquor stores, but the state makes good money there, so it's a dumb idea if you ask me.

You want messed up laws, go to Pennsylvania. I'll let someone who lives there describe it, but it's messed up.

wolf · 10-14-2011, 01:49 PM

They are relaxing a bit here and there ... some liquor stores are open on Sundays, now, and there are a few supermarkets that are starting beer or liquor and wine sales, but they are rare.

The bits that people have trouble with are that you can't buy liquor in a beer distributorship, and a state store doesn't sell beer. If you buy beer from a distributorship, you have to buy a case. If you want less than a case, you can go to a package store (a restaurant that is licensed to sell beer by the six-pack or sometimes by the each, they cannot necessarily sell hard liquor).

Then there's the Sunday sales thing ... many stores are open, but only until 5pm on a Sunday.

And you can't buy a car (or sign other sales contracts) on a Sunday.

And you can't hunt on a Sunday, unless you're shooting crow, fox, or coyote.

Trilby · 10-14-2011, 02:03 PM

I tried to get a beer in Pa. a few years back (to ease symptoms) and it was completely nutty. I had to go into a bar to buy a beer to take out.

In ohio you can buy beer, wine and "fake" liquor (that watered down crap like kamchatka diluted vodka, etc.) at United Dairy Farmers and most gas stations. No real liquor till eleven on sundays; and they stop selling all booze from 11:00pm till like seven a.m. Which is nuts coz those are the times you need it!!

glatt · 10-14-2011, 02:12 PM

We were charged with making dinner one day on vacation in Pennsylvania, and we went to the grocery store to get supplies, except there was no beer or wine there, so we asked someone, and they said we had to go to the liquor store, and (I think I'm remembering this correctly) we showed up at the liquor store, where we could buy the wine, but not the beer. So we asked there, and they said we had to go to a beer distributor to buy the beer, but refused to recommend one, so we drove around blindly until we saw beer signs, and went into this warehouse, and the smallest thing they sold was a case. We only wanted a six pack, so they told us to go to a bar. We didn't know where a nearby bar was, so we just bought a case. Meanwhile, we drove past the liquor store on Main street like 5 times during all this. It would have been a lot easier to just go buy a bottle of vodka or something to drink with dinner.

If the idea is to give you a healthy relationship with alcohol, Pennsylvania is doing it all wrong. They are encouraging you to DRINK, and not moderately.

SamIam · 10-14-2011, 02:34 PM

Our grocery stores don't sell hard liquor ever. They do sell that 3.2 crap though which I never thought was worth the bother in my drinking days. Do you know how much 3.2 you need to drink to get a buzz? I don't, because my bladder always gave out.

It used to be that our privately owned liquor stores couldn't sell anything on Sunday. However, at a store called "State Line" that is right on the border of Colorado and New Mexico (which has far more liberal liquor laws), you could drive the 40 miles or so from here to there and buy all the liquor you wanted and take it home. State Line cured many of my Sunday hangovers back in the day.

The Colorado Legislature finally legalized the sale of liquor here on Sundays a while back. However, I still don't think you can buy liquor on election days until after the polls close.

Also, it is illegal to sell liquor on either the Navajo or Ute Reservations - ever. I'm not sure if this is due to a blue law or an effort to lessen the decimating effect of alcohol on Native Americans. Whatever the reason for its implementation, the liquor ban on the rez is a joke. There are plenty of bootleggers who will sell Natives whatever they want - for a higher fee, of course.

DanaC · 10-14-2011, 02:36 PM

Our village store sells everything. Beers, ales (great selection!) ciders, wines, champagne, spirits (liquor).

Though it does close at 9pm :p

Lamplighter · 10-14-2011, 02:46 PM

I forgot about Dallas (maybe all of Texas).
To get a drink (cocktail or hard liquor) in a bar,
you had to bring your own booze (from a State liquor store).

When you entered the bar, you gave your bottle (in a brown paper bag)
to the waitress, and the drinks you ordered were mixed by the bartender.

I hope that has changed.

Clodfobble · 10-14-2011, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamplighter

I hope that has changed.

I would assume so, as I have been to a bar and ordered a drink on many occasions.

The blue laws I get, but why oh why are there laws about selling cars on the weekend? It's weird.

piercehawkeye45 · 10-14-2011, 03:17 PM

In Minnesota, liquor stores are closed on Sundays and grocery and convenience stores only sell 3.2 beer. Many people cross the border (Wisconsin) if they didn't plan ahead.

Wisconsin? Blue Laws with alcohol? Get real.

Trilby · 10-14-2011, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piercehawkeye45

Wisconsin? Blue Laws with alcohol? Get real.

for reals.

Wisconsin is one of the drinkingest places I've ever been.

Undertoad · 10-14-2011, 03:51 PM

Round here everybody but Chik Fil-A is open on Sunday. You must get as much business as you can draw in order to make rent.

10-14-2011, 01:24 PM	#1
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	What "Blue Laws" are in effect where you live ? Years ago (many) we lived in Dallas, and stores were closed on Sundays, or had aisles roped off so only certain goods could be purchased. We moved to Boston, and same thing there, only much more so. PDX TV also covers Vancouver, WA, and we are seeing both pro/con ads for a ballot measure to close Washington's State-operated liquor stores, and to allow alcoholic beverages to be sold in stores. I don't know if it would be only "liquor stores", or groceries and stop-n-robs, too. Oregon has state-operated liquor stores too, so I'm sure the measure will come up here too. What other types of Blue Laws are (still) in effect where you live ?

10-14-2011, 01:30 PM	#2
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Nothing to do with "blue laws" here. I don't know what they are, but I get the gist. We can't buy alcohol before 08.30 or after 23.00 in shops. In bars it depends on their license. __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

10-14-2011, 01:40 PM	#3
Crimson Ghost Larger than life and twice as ugly. Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,264	Here in Bergen County, blue laws are still in effect, but it seems that most towns tend to let stores open on Sundays if they want. In Paramus, the legislation to repeal the blue laws has always been defeated. Considering there are seven malls in Paramus, that's no surprise. After the recent hurricane, locals couldn't buy new sump pumps because the stores were closed under blue laws. __________________ We must all go through a rite of passage. It must be physical, it must be painful, and it must leave a mark. I have no knowledge of the events which you are describing, and if I did have knowledge of them, I would be unable to discuss them with you now or at any future period. Don't waste your time always searching for those wasted years

10-14-2011, 01:49 PM	#6
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	They are relaxing a bit here and there ... some liquor stores are open on Sundays, now, and there are a few supermarkets that are starting beer or liquor and wine sales, but they are rare. The bits that people have trouble with are that you can't buy liquor in a beer distributorship, and a state store doesn't sell beer. If you buy beer from a distributorship, you have to buy a case. If you want less than a case, you can go to a package store (a restaurant that is licensed to sell beer by the six-pack or sometimes by the each, they cannot necessarily sell hard liquor). Then there's the Sunday sales thing ... many stores are open, but only until 5pm on a Sunday. And you can't buy a car (or sign other sales contracts) on a Sunday. And you can't hunt on a Sunday, unless you're shooting crow, fox, or coyote. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

10-14-2011, 02:03 PM	#7
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	I tried to get a beer in Pa. a few years back (to ease symptoms) and it was completely nutty. I had to go into a bar to buy a beer to take out. In ohio you can buy beer, wine and "fake" liquor (that watered down crap like kamchatka diluted vodka, etc.) at United Dairy Farmers and most gas stations. No real liquor till eleven on sundays; and they stop selling all booze from 11:00pm till like seven a.m. Which is nuts coz those are the times you need it!! __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

10-14-2011, 01:41 PM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	In Virginia, the state runs the liquor stores, but you can get beer and wine at the grocery store. Talk here too about privatizing the liquor stores, but the state makes good money there, so it's a dumb idea if you ask me. You want messed up laws, go to Pennsylvania. I'll let someone who lives there describe it, but it's messed up.

10-14-2011, 02:12 PM	#8
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	We were charged with making dinner one day on vacation in Pennsylvania, and we went to the grocery store to get supplies, except there was no beer or wine there, so we asked someone, and they said we had to go to the liquor store, and (I think I'm remembering this correctly) we showed up at the liquor store, where we could buy the wine, but not the beer. So we asked there, and they said we had to go to a beer distributor to buy the beer, but refused to recommend one, so we drove around blindly until we saw beer signs, and went into this warehouse, and the smallest thing they sold was a case. We only wanted a six pack, so they told us to go to a bar. We didn't know where a nearby bar was, so we just bought a case. Meanwhile, we drove past the liquor store on Main street like 5 times during all this. It would have been a lot easier to just go buy a bottle of vodka or something to drink with dinner. If the idea is to give you a healthy relationship with alcohol, Pennsylvania is doing it all wrong. They are encouraging you to DRINK, and not moderately.

10-14-2011, 02:34 PM	#9
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	Our grocery stores don't sell hard liquor ever. They do sell that 3.2 crap though which I never thought was worth the bother in my drinking days. Do you know how much 3.2 you need to drink to get a buzz? I don't, because my bladder always gave out. It used to be that our privately owned liquor stores couldn't sell anything on Sunday. However, at a store called "State Line" that is right on the border of Colorado and New Mexico (which has far more liberal liquor laws), you could drive the 40 miles or so from here to there and buy all the liquor you wanted and take it home. State Line cured many of my Sunday hangovers back in the day. The Colorado Legislature finally legalized the sale of liquor here on Sundays a while back. However, I still don't think you can buy liquor on election days until after the polls close. Also, it is illegal to sell liquor on either the Navajo or Ute Reservations - ever. I'm not sure if this is due to a blue law or an effort to lessen the decimating effect of alcohol on Native Americans. Whatever the reason for its implementation, the liquor ban on the rez is a joke. There are plenty of bootleggers who will sell Natives whatever they want - for a higher fee, of course.

10-14-2011, 02:46 PM	#11
Lamplighter Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Bottom lands of the Missoula floods Posts: 6,402	I forgot about Dallas (maybe all of Texas). To get a drink (cocktail or hard liquor) in a bar, you had to bring your own booze (from a State liquor store). When you entered the bar, you gave your bottle (in a brown paper bag) to the waitress, and the drinks you ordered were mixed by the bartender. I hope that has changed.

10-14-2011, 03:17 PM	#13
piercehawkeye45 Franklin Pierce Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,695	In Minnesota, liquor stores are closed on Sundays and grocery and convenience stores only sell 3.2 beer. Many people cross the border (Wisconsin) if they didn't plan ahead. Wisconsin? Blue Laws with alcohol? Get real. __________________ I like my perspectives like I like my baseball caps: one size fits all.

10-14-2011, 03:51 PM	#15
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Round here everybody but Chik Fil-A is open on Sunday. You must get as much business as you can draw in order to make rent.

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