Day of Rest? Pick 1 in Texas

A judge upholds the constitutionality of a Texas law making it illegal for car dealerships there to be open on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Although a final judgment is pending, visiting retired Judge Marilyn Aboussie's position, stated in a letter, may signal the approaching end to an 8-year legal dispute over a state “blue law” limiting dealership weekend hours.

Automotive retailing chain CarMax Auto Superstores Inc., based in Virginia, in 1998 challenged the Texas law. It gives dealerships a choice of closing Saturday or Sunday. It wasn't enforced while the case was being heard.

The Texas Automobile Dealership Assn. supports the restriction on the premise that being closed one day a week cuts costs, allows dealership employees to spend time with their families and lets shoppers casually walk car lots on their own.