Many area residents will remember that prior to 1979, almost all businesses were closed throughout the state. While one could get a fountain drink or a prescription filled at Wilson’s Pharmacy, buy a newspaper at Contos Brothers, shop for groceries at Brettschneider’s or get a pair of blue jeans at the Surplus Center, Willimantic was a pretty quiet place on Sundays. Connecticut’s own version(s) of what were known as “Blue Laws” had been on the books since colonial times. They had also been modified, partially repealed, added to, enforced or not enforced depending on various historical needs, trends or public opinion. Because there had been so many modifications over the years, it is hard to narrow down a specific date but by 1917, the laws most CT residents remember were in place. Grocery stores, newsdealers, businesses owned by those who “celebrate the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week”, and a handful of others were allowed to open on Sundays. In Willimantic, prior to 1906, the Sunday Sales Laws were pretty much disregarded and not at all enforced. But in December, the Womens’ Christian Temperance Union lodged a complaint against John Gray, the manager of the Loomer Opera House. He was subsequently arrested on the charge of “performing secular labor on Sunday” by selling tickets to moving picture entertainment on December 16^th and 23^rd. In court, on New Year’s Eve, 1906, Gray’s attorney made a strong argument claiming that Gray was discriminated against since numerous other businesses were violating the Sunday closing laws. He went on to say that the law had not been changed since 1814 and wondered why other businesses were allowed to operate. He also argued that the Sunday night entertainments at the Opera House were “as harmless as illustrated lectures” and that there was less talking than at a lecture and “occasionally there was an enjoyable song”. Gray’s attorney then asked that either the complaint be omitted, or other violations of the law be prosecuted or that a “light fine” be imposed. Judge Arnold of the Police Court found Mr. Gray guilty and imposed a fine of $10 and costs on each of the two counts. Within a few days, the effects of the decision resounded throughout the city. On Sunday, January 13^th, Willimantic was a closed and deserted town with all the shops and stores closed. One could not even buy a Sunday newspaper. Those who found it necessary to have a newspaper had to take a trolley to Norwich or Baltic in order to purchase one. Even Mayor Daniel P. Dunn, whose store did an extensive business in Sunday newspapers as well as tobacco and cigars, cancelled his contract for Sunday newspapers and closed his doors. Newsdealers Patrick Sheehan on Railroad Street and A.H. Johnson on Main Street closed their shops as well. Yet even though local newsdealers cancelled their orders, bundles of papers were sent by out-of-town publishers and delivered to the stands. But none were sold since the proprietors took them inside their stores and kept them for sale on Monday. Word had even gone out to New York and a representative from one of that city’s papers arrived early on Sunday morning with “special instructions to circulate his paper”. He met with the Prosecuting Attorney and tried making his case but finally left in the afternoon after his unsuccessful pleas. As far as other businesses, with the exception of Samuel Chesbro who kept his prescription counter open during his usual Sunday hours, all the drug stores were closed. The Wilson Drug Company, Leonard’s Pharmacy, the City Drug Store and J.J. Hickeys agreed to close but said they would take orders for prescriptions over the phone and make deliveries. Confectionary stores were closed as well. Demonstrating the “hit and miss” approach of applying the law was the fact that in nearby Putnam, for the first time in many years, all places of business were closed, but in that town, drug stores and newspaper stands were allowed to remain open. Willimantic  citizens were not happy and felt that they were “greatly inconvenienced” by this new enforcement of the laws. People were especially annoyed that they could not buy a Sunday paper and felt that newspapers were essential. They said that other items could be purchased ahead but not a paper. Perhaps due to the proximity of Willimantic’s railroad depot, three different newspaper dealers sold papers from stores that were located in the buildings shown on the right side of today’s Railroad Street photo. (to be continued)