Nature's Pantry has observed Saturday as a day of rest since it's founding in 1986. In the Bible, the Sabbath is from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday. We've always been closed on Saturday but our Friday closing time varies with the time of sundown. When the time changes in the Fall, the sun sets earlier, hence we close earlier on Friday. We close at 3 pm on Friday after the time change in the Fall and then we close at 5 pm on Friday after the time change in the Spring.
We believe taking one day off to rest each week is one of God's provisions for us. Maybe He knew we'd tend to overdo it, striving to get it all done seven days per week. Jesus said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." So we believe He made it for us to rest and recharge, not as a burden or hardship. It's a day to connect with God and with one another, and it's a symbol of our trust in His mercy and provision.
Being closed on Saturday can certainly seem like a blunder from a business perspective. Nevertheless, we believe there are more important things in life than finances, and we've found that God always provides all we need when we trust Him this way. In the many years we've been doing this, we find ourselves having more energy and getting more done in the six days of work because we take one day off each week.
For your reference:
In Exodus 20:8-10, God spoke these words to Moses regarding the 4th Commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant."
Thank you for your patience with us and many years of loving support. May God bless you and yours!