Nine stores in New York have been fined $200 for leaving their doors open on hot days, hoping to lure customers inside with cool air. They are the first stores to be fined as part of a law enacted in 2008. The law states that any business that’s larger than 4,000 sq. feet or part of a chain with five store or more must keep its doors closed when using air conditioning.

From the New York Times:

Last year, only warnings were given out. So far this year, the city’s Department of Consumer Affairs has inspected 105 stores. Seventy were in compliance, 26 were issued warnings and 9 that had been warned last year were fined, said Kay Sarlin, a department spokeswoman.

Fines start at $200, and go to $400 for any further infractions in the following 18 months.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure luring sweaty customers into your store would be the best thing for a store’s merchandise.

Check out our story on the heat wave that’s been hitting the Northeast.