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November 21, 2016

What's a blue law and why does it stop me from getting my egg nog?

COURTESY / KMF146, FLICKR L.L.Bean is one of the few retailers that have an exemption from Maine's blue law, which allows it to continue to be open 24 hours a day.

If you’re in a last-minute pinch to get that can of cranberry sauce or stuffing for your turkey on Thanksgiving Day, you’re likely going to be out of luck thanks to Maine’s blue law.

The blue law, according to the Bangor Daily News, is a historically religious law that was meant to keep families together during holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

There are a number of exemptions for retailers that can be open during these holidays, including stores with less than five employers, or fewer than 5,000-square-feet of interior retail space, according to the BDN.

L.L.Bean will also continue its trend of being open 24 hours a day as it has an unchallenged exemption from the law and, oddly enough, “establishments primarily selling boats, boating equipment, sporting equipment, souvenirs and novelties” are also exempt from the law, the BDN reported.

Photo: kmf164/Flickr

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