Good thing bergen county is an epicenter of the iconic new jersey. A blue law, in the united states and canada, is a type of law designed to enforce moral. May 10, 2017 bergen county is one of the last in the united states to enforce blue laws, the seemingly pesky restrictions on what is bought and sold on sundays. So bergen county has blue laws to ease the traffic on route 17 and route 4 for one day a week. Should bergen countys blue laws fall, it could mark an end to. Blue law roots blue laws, or laws that mandate certain types of closings on sundays, go far back in american history. Bergen county is one of the last in the united states to enforce blue laws, the seemingly pesky restrictions on what is bought and sold on sundays. Where did bergens blue laws come from, and why do efforts to repeal them get shot down. Bergen new bridge medical center by appointment only 230 east ridgewood avenue, paramus, new jersey 07652. History of bergen and passaic counties, new jersey, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men by clayton, w. Samuel peters 17351826 in his book, general history of connecticut first published in 1781. Ad many of the more draconian blue laws are no longer enforced, but a number of cities regulate alcohol sales and retail operating hours whenever possible. Scott tesser started this petition to bergen county s blue laws if i need something on sunday, i go to new york.
Bergen county residents making sunday plans can count on one thing. Blue laws and the religious tradition that sanctifies life. Contillo said that bergen countys blue laws have, over the decades, evolved. I believe that bergen is the only county left in the garden state that still has blue laws.
That wouldnt really start to reverse course until the 1950s, when each new jersey county was granted. Blue laws, also known as sunday laws, are laws designed to restrict or ban some or all sunday. Bergen stores try to repeal blue laws the new york times. So nj loses the tax revenue and the local businesses lose out. As of the 2018 census estimate, the county s population was 936,692, an increase of 3. The blue laws also underwent a revival of sorts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the nationwide prohibition movement. Blue laws are enforced in parts of the united states and canada as well as some european countries, particularly in austria, germany, switzerland, and norway, keeping most stores closed on sundays. Bergen county is the most populous county in the u. New jerseys blue laws, prohibiting work on sundays, have been on the books. Aug 27, 1993 bergen s sunday closing law is the sole survivor of blue laws enacted by 10 of new jerseys 21 counties in 1959 after the state legislature gave them the power. No sunday shopping in spring 2019 at the american dream. Nov 26, 2015 socalled blue laws, named for the color paper they used to be written on, have been on the books in new jersey since the late 1600s.
Socalled blue laws, named for the color paper they used to be written on, have been on the books in new jersey since the late 1600s. In new haven, connecticut, liquor sales are banned on sundays, a leftover blue law which used to ban most business operation on that day. A law from the 1600s will keep retail shops closed. At one time in new jerseys history, the blue laws applied statewide, but since 1985, bergen county has been the only one of. Dec 16, 20 those looking to do retail shopping in bergen county on sundays are out of luck since the county has blue laws that do not allow those businesses to open that day, even during the busy holiday. I am unaware of polling on this issue to determine what the partisan mix of support for county blue laws may be, but bergen countys. Socalled blue laws are still in place in bergen county, new jersey, where. Scott tesser needs your help with bergen countys blue laws. Dec 23, 2018 those elements of the development are not impacted by the bergen county laws that forbid buying nonessential items on sundays. Contillo said that bergen county s blue laws have, over the decades, evolved. I am unaware of polling on this issue to determine what the partisan mix of support for county blue laws may be, but bergen county s presidential election vote share was about the. Nahimutang ni sa estado sa new jersey, sa sidlakang bahin sa nasod, 300 km sa amihanansidlakan sa washington, d. You can trace bergen county s blue laws all the way back to ancient rome.
Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. Created for a com255 project at marist college, in response to a ny times op. No sunday shopping in spring 2019 at the american dream mega. The first occurrence of the phrase blue laws so far found is in the newyork mercury of march 3, 1755, where the writer imagines a future newspaper praising the revival of our connecticuts old blue laws. The bergen county blue laws controversy and opportunity.
Blue laws forbidding sunday work have been on the books in the u. For more mega shopping opportunities, stay tuned for retail openings at american dream in east rutherford. Blue laws and the religious tradition that sanctifies life outside of. Jun 22, 2017 bergen countys infamous blue laws made headlines once again after they were the subject on the popular game show jeopardy. We asked bergen county residents for their thoughts on the ban. Bergen county is at the epicenter of mall shopping in new jersey, a state with no sales tax. But bergen county s blue laws may be the most famous of all. This can be a hardship for the many people of the jewish faith in the county. Blue laws and the religious tradition that sanctifies. History of bergen and passaic counties, new jersey, with. Heres a brief history of bergen county s blue laws, gathered from the archives of the starledger, the new york times and other resources.
You cant shop at new jerseys american dream on sundays. Oct 02, 2018 i am unaware of polling on this issue to determine what the partisan mix of support for county blue laws may be, but bergen countys presidential election vote share was about the same as the. Nov 04, 1984 thirty years ago, much of the borough. It looks like theres an issue with javascript in your browser. New york, new jersey publishing and engraving company, 1900. Apr 18, 2020 in bergen county, new jersey, one of the largest shopping districts of new jersey, retail stores must be closed on sundays. These markers are sponsored and paid for by individuals, clubs, institutions, business organizations and municipalities. Apr 20, 2020 almost every blue law on the books today can trace its origin back to a religious cause, whether it be temperance against alcohol sales or the enforcement of dress codes. Just as most of the new england states have overturned the tyranny of capricious laws, let nj join the revolution.
Some of the nations few remaining blue laws are upheld in bergen county, new jersey. Some are saying, national sunday law is coming spring 2019. In his 1781 book general history of connecticut, the reverend samuel peters 17351826 used it to describe. The bergen county historical society bchs, a 501c3 nonprofit volunteer organization, founded in 1902, promotes preservation, study and appreciation of civil, political, military and the general history of the united states of america, particularly of bergen county. Repeal the blue laws in bergen county and allow the stores to open. History of bergen county, new jersey classic reprint valen, van on. Maryland permits sunday automobile sales only in the counties of charles, prince georges, montgomery, and.
However their true roots extend further back in history to the fourth century when emperor constantine declared that sunday would be a day to abstain from work. Some of the nations few remaining blue laws are upheld in bergen county. Bergen county is famous for a few things in particular. This blue law is already on the books in bergen county, nj.
In the mid20th century a majority of states had similar. Mar 15, 2011 a multimedia essay expressing the controversy and opportunity that exists behind new jerseys bergen county blue laws. Jul 07, 2008 civil rights in the 1960s eliminated many of these unfortunate and absurd laws. Browsing and bargain hunting can build an appetite.
Like this page if you are good hearted that supports the blue law sunday closing in bergen county, new jersey for quality of. Dec 01, 2000 the architecture of bergen county, new jersey demonstrates the close association between architectural development at the national and local levels, and shows how social, technological, and political changes occurring within the county have been reflected in the building types and styles of the area. Oct 20, 2019 new jerseys blue laws, prohibiting work on sundays, have been on the books since the 1600s. Blue laws prohibit most stores from opening in bergen county, nj on sundays, harming small businesses and leaving people unable to buy basic items. Bergen county blue laws protect us from sunday shirts rapid. Bchs historic marker program bergen county historical society. Bchs historic marker program the society, since 1960, has had a continuing program of designating historic sites in the county with distinctive blue and silver markers.
Americas last ban on sunday shopping the new yorker. On sundays in bergen county, nj, a blue law prohibits you from buying electronics seen at mitsuwa. Some, however, have remained on the books to the present day. New jerseys blue laws, prohibiting work on sundays, have been on the books since the 1600s. Just remember that bergen county abides by blue laws, so shopping centers are closed on sunday. By the time of the american revolution, many of the personal conduct laws were no longer enforced.
The screening survey is open from 8 am 3pm, 7 days a week. In his 1781 book general history of connecticut, the reverend samuel peters 17351826 used it to describe various laws first enacted by puritan colonies in the 17th century that. Just because the residents in paramus dont want to deal with the traffic or work on sundays, doesnt mean everybody else in the county shouldnt have the ability to shop. Bergen county, new jersey is notable for their blue laws banning the sale of clothing, shoes, furniture, home supplies and appliances on sundays kept through county wide referendum. After being born and raised in bergen county for more than 20 years, im happy i left that area. Its not really about religion, although that is the legal basis for the blue laws. Or maybe you were taking a sunday drive through bergen county, new jersey, and wanted to buy a. We support the blue laws of bergen county, nj home. We support the blue laws of bergen county, nj facebook. The history of blue laws in bergen county began in the. Here in nj, especially bergen county, we set certain standards that the rest of the world doesnt have, in order to protect our quality of life. Bergen county blue laws restrict sunday holiday shopping.
Bergen county covid19 screening at bergen new bridge medical center for bergen county first responders, hospital workers, county workers and symptomatic county residents. The bergen county blue laws that were started probably in the 1960s. You can trace bergen countys blue laws all the way back to ancient. Bergen county s infamous blue laws made headlines once again after they were the subject on the popular game show jeopardy. But one of these blue laws lives on and is going strong. A law from the 1600s will keep retail shops closed on. Its one of the last locations in the country to have such laws, but even bergen county residents dont totally understand them, let alone jersey folk who live elsewhere. The history of the blue laws dates back nearly 2,000 years, when. Coronavirus disease 2019 covid19 bergen county new jersey. The history of blue laws in bergen county began in the 1950s, when cavernous shopping centers, like the garden state plaza, opened their doors. History of bergen county, new jersey classic reprint.
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