The Boston Globe reported yesterday on what city services would be closed in observing New Year’s Day.

“Retail stores: Open at owner’s discretion.

Liquor stores: Open at owner’s discretion.

Supermarkets: Open.

Convenience stores: Open at owner’s discretion.”

This implies supermarkets are absolutely open, regardless of their owners’ preferences. This, in turn, implies there’s a law mandating this, since only a law can keep a business owner from closing his doors pretty much any day he wants.

So what’s the law, then?