Florence County no longer subject to ‘Blue Laws’

FLORENCE, S.C. (AP) — In just a few weeks, people in Florence County will be able to shop before 1:30 p.m. Doors to malls will open as early as noon, thanks to hotel tax revenues rising just above $900,000.

The Morning News of Florence reported (http://bit.ly/qMmzaM ) reported that Florence County is now exempt from the state’s “Blue Laws,” which prohibit Sunday retail sales before 1:30 p.m. Counties are exempted if they have revenues from the state’s 2 percent accommodations, or hotel room, tax of more than $900,000.

Officials say Florence County topped that number in late June. Store owners are now adjusting employee work schedules and make other arrangements to open earlier.

Magnolia Mall manager Stacie Dickerson says the mall will start opening at noon in a few weeks.

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Information from: Morning News, http://www.scnow.com