American Dream Mall Pushes Exemption from “Blue Laws”

Sunday Shopping Showdown: East Rutherford Fights Back in American Dream Mall “Blue Laws” War

 

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

East Rutherford NJ, The battle over Sunday shopping in Bergen County is heating up as East Rutherford officially asks a judge to be removed from the ongoing legal firestorm surrounding the American Dream mall.

While most of Bergen County remains quiet on Sundays due to century-old “Blue Laws,” the American Dream mega-mall has kept its retail doors wide open—sparking a high-stakes lawsuit from the Borough of Paramus. Now, the town that calls the mall home says it shouldn’t be held liable for the dispute.

East Rutherford: “Leave Us Out of It”

Attorneys for East Rutherford recently filed a motion asking Superior Court Judge Gregg Padovano to dismiss all claims against the borough. Their argument is simple: East Rutherford hasn’t actually done anything wrong.

In the filing, the Hackensack-based law firm representing the town argued that Paramus failed to identify any specific ordinance or municipal action taken by East Rutherford that violates the law.

“Paramus attempts to conscript East Rutherford into the case by implication and proximity alone,” the filing stated, suggesting that just because the mall is physically located in the town doesn’t mean the town is responsible for enforcing state-level land use rules.

The Core of the Conflict: State Land vs. Local Law

The legal drama began shortly before Labor Day when Paramus officials sued the mall’s developer (Ameream), the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), and East Rutherford.

The crux of the “Blue Law” debate rests on a unique technicality:

• The Mall’s Argument: Because American Dream sits on state-owned land (leased from the NJSEA), it claims it is exempt from Bergen County’s retail restrictions. They liken it to buying a jersey at a Giants or Jets game at MetLife Stadium on a Sunday.

• The Paramus Argument: Paramus, home to retail giants like Garden State Plaza and Bergen Town Center, argues that the exemption creates an unfair playing field and violates the spirit of the law. They are seeking fines for every Sunday the mall has operated.

Why Do Blue Laws Still Exist?

For many outside of New Jersey, the idea of a retail shutdown every Sunday seems like a relic of the 18th century. However, in Bergen County, these laws are fiercely protected by residents and officials alike for two main reasons:

1. Traffic Relief: With one of the highest concentrations of retail in the world, Sunday provides the only break from the gridlock that plagues local roads.

2. Quality of Life: Officials like Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco argue the law guarantees retail workers a day of rest and maintains the residential character of the county.

What’s Next?

The NJSEA and Ameream have already filed their own motions to dismiss the case, claiming Paramus has no “legal standing” and cannot prove it has been harmed by the mall staying open.

Judge Gregg Padovano is scheduled to rule on these dismissal requests on January 30. If the judge refuses to toss the case, we could be looking at a landmark trial that decides the future of Sunday shopping in New Jersey forever.

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Quick Facts: The American Dream Lawsuit

Party	Position
Paramus	Wants Blue Laws enforced; seeking fines against the mall.
American Dream	Claims state-land exemption; has 120+ retailers open on Sundays.
East Rutherford	Claims no legal liability; says it’s caught in the middle.
NJSEA	Distancing itself as a “landlord” only; leaving it to the courts.

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