A glance at parking lots most Sunday afternoons confirms that large numbers of us take it for granted that we can buy clothes, tools or appliances seven days a week. Yet, it wasn't that long ago that most commerce was prohibited on Sundays, and the question was at the center of a big political debate. North Dakota has changed, that's what. In 1991, the Legislature greatly liberalized the state's Sunday shopping law. It's worth noting that the law wasn't repealed.
Some retailers remain closed, such as car dealerships and, at local option, liquor stores.
Most commerce can't commence until noon on Sundays. Before 1991, there was a gradual liberalization of the law. Over a couple of decades, legislators struggled to adapt limited Sunday shopping to the reality of changing family life and to the practicalities of business. For a while, for example, pharmacies and other exempted business that also sold general merchandise were roping off parts of the stores on Sunday, an awkward practice. Grocers were limited to three employees on Sunday, which created service bottlenecks.