Bills added, "The future of Sunday closing policy for Crossroads Plaza stores is yet to be determined."

Why some close

Reasons those stores close vary from religious to saying that offering Sundays off helps them attract higher-quality employees. Most say it does not really hurt their businesses.

Mac Christensen, founder of Mr. Mac clothing, who is also president of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, explained why his family's stores close on Sundays.

"We are Mormons. We believe in being closed on Sunday. It gives our people a chance to be home with their families, take care of church responsibilities and have a day of rest."

He adds, "It hasn't hurt our business."

It also has not hurt the Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, which has reported 36 consecutive years of sales growth and now has 1,150 restaurants in 37 states. Its founder, S. Truett Cathy, a devout Baptist, requires all its restaurants to be closed on Sunday.

He has been quoted saying, "Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and directing our attention to things more important than our business. If it took seven days to make a living with a restaurant, then we needed to be in some other line of work."

Sunday closings also have not hurt the fast-growing, locally based Franklin Covey time management stores, which are closed nationally. Spokeswoman Debra Lund said one of the seven habits of highly successful people espoused by founder Stephen Covey is to take time off "to sharpen the saw," which is important for employees.

"It is important to take time off for renewal and renovation," she said. "Most employees like to try to take off on the weekend. Saturday is too high a traffic day to give up," so the chain closes on Sundays, she said.

Scott Hymas, chief executive officer of R.C. Willey furniture, said, "Retail hours are tough. But if our associates know they will at least have Sundays off to spend with their families, it allows us to attract a higher quality associate. . . . When they get a day off, they come back refreshed, and we get a better work force."

Dave Davis, human resources director of Macey's food markets, said his chain remains closed Sundays, even though Sundays are considered the second-biggest day for grocery shopping.

"It could put us at a competitive disadvantage, but it is important enough to our team members, our communities and our guests that we maintain that closure policy," he said.

What churches say

Some churches leave it up to individuals to decide whether shopping on Sunday breaks the Sabbath, while others more directly discourage or condemn it.