Officials in Paramus have filed a lawsuit against American Dream, alleging the retail and entertainment complex has violated Bergen County’s blue laws by opening on Sundays. The legal action was submitted in Bergen County court, with Ameream (the mall’s developer), Bergen County, East Rutherford township, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority also named as defendants.
The borough is seeking a court order to enforce the blue laws and impose disorderly persons fines for each alleged violation by American Dream. Paramus, which hosts three major shopping malls, has long observed these restrictions.
American Dream opened in 2019 and began Sunday operations in 2024. The complex is considered the second largest of its kind in the United States.
Blue laws have been part of New Jersey since the 1700s. Although most counties ended their Sunday shopping bans after state legislation changed in 1959, Bergen County chose to keep its restrictions in place.
Representatives for American Dream argue that because their property sits on state-owned land, it should not be subject to county blue laws. They cite MetLife Stadium as an example of another facility able to host events involving retail sales on Sundays under similar circumstances.
