While families enjoy a sunny Sunday morning in Paramus, New Jersey, downtown streets remain quiet with shuttered stores.
Just a few miles away, however, the American Dream mall is buzzing with life.
Teenagers race between Nickelodeon Universe and DreamWorks Water Park, parents juggle shopping bags and toddlers, and retail workers brace for a busy weekend.
But behind the fun and chaos, the mall is under fire for allegedly breaking Bergen County’s longstanding blue laws, which restrict sales of nonessential goods on Sundays.
Paramus Files Lawsuit Against the Mall
Paramus officials argue that American Dream’s Sunday operations are unfair and hurt smaller local retailers.
Mayor Christopher DiPiazza claimed the mall’s activities put local shops and their workers at a disadvantage, saying, “This can hurt the taxpayers and the residents that I serve.”
The lawsuit alleges that the mall, with support from its owners and other parties involved, has violated these laws “hundreds if not thousands of times since January.”
East Rutherford and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority are also named, due to their property ownership and leasing roles.
Blue Laws and Their Historical Context
New Jersey is one of the few states still enforcing blue laws, which date back to the 17th century and were inspired by English Sabbath rules to encourage a day of rest.
While most U.S. states have abandoned such restrictions, the laws remain a source of tension where modern commerce clashes with tradition.
The Long Road to American Dream
The concept of American Dream first emerged in 1996 when The Mills Corp envisioned a massive retail and entertainment hub.
Political hurdles were present from the start, as Bergen County voters had rejected repealing the Sunday shopping ban twice — in 1980 and 1993.
The initial plan faced further complications, including environmental protests over wetlands in Carlstadt.
After multiple delays, ownership changes, design controversies, and even a partial collapse from heavy snow, construction truly picked up again in 2013.
The $5 billion complex finally opened in 2019.
A Mega Mall of Entertainment and Retail
Today, American Dream houses roughly 450 retail stores and over 100 eateries.
Visitors can enjoy attractions like DreamWorks Water Park and Nickelodeon Universe, as well as events such as JonasCon, which drew thousands of Jonas Brothers fans in March.
Despite the lawsuit, a spokesperson defended the mall, calling the legal challenge “a meritless political stunt driven by private competitors’ interests.”
They also highlighted that American Dream is on state-owned property where Sunday retail sales have occurred for decades.
Lessons from Other Malls: The San Francisco Centre
Even as American Dream thrives, other large malls have struggled.
The San Francisco Centre lost $1 billion in value by 2024, plagued by homelessness and rising crime.
Major retailers like American Eagle, Michael Kors, and Zara have all left, citing security concerns and declining foot traffic. Today, just over 200 shops and eateries remain there.
Tradition vs. Modern Commerce
The legal clash over Sunday operations at American Dream highlights the ongoing tension between old laws designed to protect a day of rest and the realities of modern retail and entertainment.
For now, the mall continues to draw crowds, while the court battle promises to test how far tradition can hold sway over one of the nation’s most ambitious retail projects.
