Nationally, Sears and Walmart are opening their doors on Thanksgiving this year, allowing early bird shoppers to get a jump on Black Friday. As it did last year, Kmart will also be open on turkey day.

But not in Maine.

Maine’s so-called blue law doesn’t allow stores with more than 5,000 square feet to be open on three days: Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, said Jim McGregor of the Maine Merchants Association.

L.L. Bean is exempt from the law, McGregor said.

The same law used to forbid Sunday shopping, until it was repealed in referendum.

Walmart in Auburn will open as early as legally possible, at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Sears in Lewiston will open at 4 a.m. on Black Friday.

— Bonnie Washuk