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NJ Sen. Richard Codey Proposes Bill To Limit Holiday Shopping On Thanksgiving

NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A New Jersey lawmaker wants to stop Black Friday from encroaching on Thanksgiving.

State Sen. Richard Codey is introducing a bill that would bar retailers from opening before 9 p.m. on Thanksgiving, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported.

Codey, an Essex County Democrat and former governor, said retailers are increasingly "bringing workers away from their families."

NJ Sen. Richard Codey Proposes Bill To Limit Holiday Shopping On Thanksgiving

"It's time for somebody to say, 'Hold on,' " Codey said.

"I think that's a fair and reasonable compromise," he said of his legislation.

Codey added that Maine, Massachusetts and Rhode Island do not allow retail stores to open on Thanksgiving at all.

Paramus Park and Westfield Garden State Plaza are among the many New Jersey malls opening Thanksgiving evening.

In recent years, both malls resisted the temptation to open up for Thanksgiving. Sources told 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck that Garden State Plaza made the decision to open because so many other retailers in the area are opening and the mall doesn't want to miss out on the demand.

"Given the enthusiasm by shoppers and retailers to open up earlier and earlier each year, Westfield Garden State Plaza will open on Thanksgiving Day from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.," Lisa Hermann of Westfield Garden State Plaza said earlier this month.

A representative for Paramus Park said shopping on Thanksgiving has now become a tradition.

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