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Oregon Dairy, Yoder's and John Herr's will add the seventh day to their workweek beginning Jan. 10.
The stores want to get in sync with the change in shopping habits over the past 30 years — as most of their competitors have.
"Saturdays are so busy with work and children's sports and activities that Sunday has become what Saturdays used to be," said Jim Kidwell of Family Owned Markets, an advertising group that includes the stores.
"Families do the bulk of their grocery shopping on Sundays. For a grocer, Sunday hours are an important part of staying competitive today," said the marketing director in a prepared statement released Tuesday.
Oregon Dairy, on Oregon Pike, Yoder's, in New Holland, and John Herr's, in Millersville, will operate their supermarkets on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Oregon Dairy's restaurant will have Sunday hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yoder's restaurant will have Sunday hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. John Herr's does not have a restaurant.
Though commonplace today, Sunday hours were banned in Pennsylvania until the state Supreme Court tossed out "blue laws" in 1978.
Two Guys, now defunct, was the first major retailer here to take advantage of the court's action, adding Sunday hours that summer.
Initially, other merchants stayed closed Sundays, fearing a backlash from local shoppers.
But over the years, more and more retailers added Sunday hours, citing a desire to provide convenience to busy customers who are hard-pressed to find time to shop on other days.
Darrenkamp's, a group member that launched Sunday hours in 1997, has found the addition of Sunday hours at its three supermarkets to be a success.
Having Sunday hours has allowed the stores to capture business that was going to competitors, said store president Joe Darrenkamp.
And there's plenty to capture.
The late morning and early afternoon hours, when many customers stop on their way home from church, are among the busiest times of the week, he pointed out.
"Sunday hours are just another way to take care of your customers, with everybody being so busy," said Darrenkamp.
Stauffers of Kissel Hill, which began Sunday hours in 1995, has had a similar experience at its three supermarkets.
"It's worked out very well," said Paul Stauffer, director of marketing and branding. "It's what the customers want. Nobody would be open Sundays if it wasn't what the customers want."
But some supermarkets vow to keep resisting the trend, no matter how popular it becomes.
Ferguson & Hassler in Quarryville has no plans to open Sundays, said vice president Chip Hassler.
"It's supposed to be a day of rest. We think our employees deserve a day with their families, a day they know they have off. It's a shame when you hear it's the busiest shopping day of the week," he said.
Shady Maple, which has the county's largest supermarket and its largest smorgasbord, likewise has no plans to open either on Sundays, said store manager Lin Weaver.
"We absolutely will never open on Sundays," said Weaver. Being closed, he continued, "is a great way to honor the Lord's day, to worship and to have a day off."
While Weaver emphasized that he's not trying to "judge or condemn" any merchants that have Sunday hours, he said, "For us, it's not something that's an option."
