L.I. Lawmaker Wants Stores Closed On Thanksgiving

NEW YORK (CBS 2/ 1010 WINS/AP) -- Eager shoppers may be thankful that some stores will be open on Thanksgiving but one Long Island politician says "enough is enough."

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy is proposing a law that would force large retail stores to be closed between noon and 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving beginning next year.

His proposal is modeled on a similar law in Maine. It wouldn't apply to supermarkets.

Levy says businesses need to give workers time to be with their families on the holiday.

If passed, the law would apply to retail outlets larger than 7,500 square feet.

Violators would face a $1,000 fine.

A spokeswoman for Kmart owner Sears Holding Corp. says Kmart opens on Thanksgiving for customers' sake. She says customers want to be able to start holiday shopping -- and pick up last-minute items for their Thanksgiving tables.

(TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)