Dan Brecher
Counsel
212-286-0747 dbrecher@sh-law.comKey Contacts
Back
Every year, it seems that Black Friday deals start earlier and earlier. While some welcome the opportunity to get a jump on their holiday shopping, critics contend that it robs workers of time with their families on the Thanksgiving holiday. In New Jersey, lawmakers could consider a bill that would restrict Black Friday from further creeping into Thursday, now calling it Black Thursday. State Sen. Richard Codey recently announced that he plans to propose legislation that would ban stores from opening before 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. According to Sen. Codey, the measure is intended to protect low-income workers who are often forced to work the holiday shift.
“The increased pressure among these stores to open earlier and stay open later cuts into their holiday or eliminates it altogether for the store workers,” he said. “They are put in position to either work on Thanksgiving or risk losing their jobs. This would allow them to be with their families and to give thanks, as other families do.”
Several states, including Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island, have laws that prohibit big box retailers from opening earlier than midnight on Thanksgiving. In New Jersey, Bergen County has a long-standing municipal ordinance that restricts store hours on Sundays. So-called “blue laws” were once prevalent across the country. Dating back centuries, they can be traced back to the colonial usage of the word “blue” meaning “rigidly moral.”
The legislation may be looked at by New Jersey businesses as a step backwards that could dramatically hurt holiday sales, which depend greatly on Black Friday shoppers. If the stores are forced to close, they argue, shoppers will likely travel out-of-state or make online purchases. “In recent years there has been a demand to open on Thanksgiving,” said John Holub, president of the New Jersey Retail Merchants Association. “The demand is there.“
- Practices: Corporate Transactions & Business
- Locations: Red Bank, NJ, Little Falls, NJ, New York City
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Related Posts
See all
Scarinci Hollenbeck Expands NYC Real Estate and Litigation Practices ADDING four litigators
NYC Real Estate and Litigation Attorney Ryan O. Miller and Team Join Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC New York City, NY – August 13, 2025 – Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC has strengthened its Real Estate and Litigation practices with the addition of four New York City-based attorneys. Ryan Miller, who joins as a partner, is well known for […]
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
What is Business Law and Why Is it Important?
Business law plays a critical role in nearly every aspect of running a successful enterprise, from negotiating a commercial lease to drafting employee policies to fulfilling corporate disclosure obligations. Understanding what is business law and your legal obligations can help your business run smoothly and build productive relationships with clients, business partners, regulators, and others. […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Corporate Transactions: Best Practices for Successful Deals
Corporate transactions can have significant implications for a corporation and its stakeholders. For deals to be successful, companies must act strategically to maximize value and minimize risk. It is also important to fully understand the legal and financial ramifications of corporate transactions, both in the near and long term. Understanding Corporate Transactions The term “corporate […]
Author: Dan Brecher
How to Conduct a Fair and Legal Employee Termination in 2025
Ongoing economic uncertainty is forcing many companies to make tough decisions, which includes lowering staff levels. The legal landscape on both the state and federal level also continues to evolve, especially with significant changes to the priorities of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) under the Trump Administration. Terminating an employee is one of the […]
Author: Angela A. Turiano
Admin Dissolution for Annual Report: What You Need to Know
While filing annual reports may seem like a nuisance, failing to do so can have significant ramifications. These include fines, reputational harm, and interruption of your business operations. In basic terms, “admin dissolution for annual report” means that a company is dissolved by the government. This happens because it failed to submit its annual report […]
Author: Dan Brecher
What Is Antitrust Litigation Law?
Antitrust laws are designed to ensure that businesses compete fairly. There are three federal antitrust laws that businesses must navigate. These include the Sherman Act, the Federal Trade Commission Act, and the Clayton Act. States also have their own antitrust regimes. These may vary from federal regulations. Understanding antitrust litigation helps businesses navigate these complex […]
Author: Robert E. Levy
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.