Bergen County’s blue laws, which heavily restrict Sunday retail sales of nonessential items (clothing, furniture, appliances), date back to the 1600s, with formal establishment in 1704 and codification in 1798.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Esat Rutherford NJ, the legal battle over Sunday shopping in North Jersey is heating up as begins. Lawyers for the American Dream mega-mall and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) have officially asked a Bergen County judge to toss out a high-profile lawsuit that seeks to force the mall to close its retail doors on Sundays.
The lawsuit, filed by Paramus officials, alleges that the East Rutherford complex is thumbing its nose at Bergen County’s historic Blue Laws—a set of 18th-century regulations that prohibit the sale of clothing, furniture, and electronics on the first day of the week.
🏛️ The Core Conflict: State Land vs. County Law
At the heart of the dispute is a jurisdictional “tug-of-war.” American Dream sits on state-owned land in the Meadowlands, and its developers, Ameream, argue this makes them exempt from local and county restrictions.
The Mall’s Argument:
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The “MetLife” Precedent: Attorneys argue that because the mall sits on state land, it is not bound by county Blue Laws—just as fans can buy Giants or Jets jerseys at MetLife Stadium on Sundays.
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Lack of Standing: Lawyers from Lowenstein Sandler and Genova Burns stated in a Dec. 22 motion that “a municipality may not dictate what happens on state land” and argued that Paramus has suffered no “direct harm” from American Dream staying open.
The Paramus Argument:
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Unfair Competition: Paramus is home to retail giants like Garden State Plaza and Bergen Town Center, both of which must remain closed on Sundays. Officials argue that allowing American Dream to stay open creates an uneven playing field.
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Quality of Life: Proponents of the Blue Laws, including Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, argue the laws provide residents with a much-needed break from the heavy traffic generated by the area’s massive retail hubs.
🗓️ Key Court Dates in January 2026
Bergen County Judge Gregg Padovano is set to hear arguments and hand down decisions early in the new year:
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January 9, 2026: The state (NJSEA) will make its arguments for dismissal.
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January 30, 2026: Ameream (American Dream) will present its case.
If the judge refuses to dismiss the case, American Dream could face thousands of dollars in daily fines for “disorderly persons” violations.
🎢 What’s Actually Open at American Dream on Sundays?
While the legal battle rages over clothing and retail, many parts of the American Dream complex remain legally open every Sunday regardless of the lawsuit. Under current laws, entertainment and dining are exempt.
Currently Open on Sundays:
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Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park
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DreamWorks Water Park
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Big SNOW Indoor Skiing
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AMC Theatres & Tilt Museum
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All Restaurants and the Food Court
If the lawsuit succeeds, only the retail stores (like Zara, H&M, and Saks Fifth Avenue) would be forced to shutter on Sundays, aligning the mall with the rest of Bergen County’s shopping centers.
🗣️ “They Broke That Promise”
The conflict is personal for some local leaders. County Executive Jim Tedesco previously stated that American Dream operators “personally assured me and the state that they would honor the Sunday closing law… They broke that promise.”
As the court prepares to rule, the outcome could either reinforce the century-old tradition of “Sunday Stillness” in Bergen County or pave the way for a 24/7 retail future in North Jersey.
Bergen County Blue Laws: At a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Origin | 18th Century (Updated in 1959) |
| Prohibited Items | Clothing, Furniture, Appliances, Hardware |
| Allowed Items | Food, Medicine, Entertainment, Toiletries |
| Major Impacted Towns | Paramus, East Rutherford, Hackensack |
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You know what who really gives a shit that the mole is open on a Sunday. This is not 1960. Let’s get with the times. BERGEN County loses a lot of business the other areas because their stores are closed. How would you like owning a store and paying rent and they tell you you can’t open up on a Sunday, that’s bullshit you’re employing people to work, and you’re trying to run a business. If anything shut it down on a Monday and Tuesday because stores are dead. These stores make their money Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, not Monday Tuesday Wednesday look at the sales chart. These old time laws are not working. And besides the ones that trying to push for this they’re hypocrites. If you own the store, it should be your option. Typical of Ebeneezer.