Officials in Paramus are taking legal action against American Dream for remaining open during Sundays, which contradicts Bergen County’s long-standing blue laws.
In a suit filed in Bergen County court, first reported by the Bergen Record, Paramus is requesting a judge’s order to enforce the blue laws. The mall’s developers, Ameream, Bergen County, the township of East Rutherford and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority are all named in the suit.
The borough, which is home to three major shopping malls, is also seeking disorderly persons fines against American Dream for each violation.
American Dream, the second largest retail and entertainment complex in the nation, debuted in 2019, but began operating on Sundays in 2024.
New Jersey’s blue laws have existed since the 1700s. While all other counties gave up a Sunday shopping ban after a state law change in 1959, Bergen County maintained it.
Officials from American Dream have previously contended that because the complex is on state-owned land, it does not have to adhere to the county’s blue laws – just as MetLife is able to host sporting events or concerts where retail items are being sold on Sundays.
