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Bergen County officials are looking to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office for guidance because they believe American Dream is breaking the region’s long-standing “blue laws” by allowing retailers to open on Sundays.

In New Jersey, blue laws have existed since the 1700s. However, as of 1959, each county has the ability to decide whether to enforce them.

Over the years, all but Bergen County have abandoned the Sunday shopping bans, which prohibit the sale of clothes, jewelry, cars, home-improvement and other select goods.

Known for its premier shopping destinations – such as luxury boutiques at the Shops at Riverside, outlet stores at the Bergen Town Center and the sprawling Westfield Garden State Plaza – Bergen County is the epicenter of shopping in New Jersey. Attempts in 2010 and 1993 to eliminate the blue law restrictions failed amid quality-of-life concerns, like traffic.

However, for at least the past year, stores at American Dream have opened for business Sundays – alongside the six-year-old Meadowlands complex’s array of dining, entertainment and other attractions.

Don Ghermezian, CEO of the mall’s parent company, Triple Five, issued a statement saying, “We are ecstatic that our extensive list of offerings operates on Sundays, allowing everyone to enjoy the very best of American Dream whenever they want.”

Besides being the largest mall in New Jersey, the 3 million-square-foot venue is the second-largest mall in the U.S. Triple Five-owned Mall of America in Minnesota is the biggest.

‘An unfair advantage’

After hearing from constituents about the situation, county officials reached out last May to the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority. NJSEA owns the land that houses American Dream, MetLife Stadium and other Meadowlands developments.

“County Executive [James] Tedesco has been a steadfast supporter of the Bergen County blue laws, long recognizing their vital role in enhancing residents’ quality of life and guaranteeing retail employees at least one day off each week,” a county spokesperson shared in a statement. “His position has remained consistent throughout his tenure in elected office, first as Paramus Councilman, then Mayor, Bergen County Freeholder, and now County Executive.”

“American Dream’s disregard of the state statute is deeply concerning, and its violation gives American Dream Mall tenants an unfair advantage over all other Bergen County businesses lawfully complying with state law,” they added.

In his letter to NJSEA, Tedesco argued that Sunday sales violate a law that has been in place for decades. He also pointed to a 1983 opinion from the AG’s office upholding the blue laws’ application at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The county executive also questioned the NJSEA’s authority to circumvent state statutes.

No authority

In response, NJSEA’s attorney wrote back to the county saying that the authority doesn’t have the power to enforce blue laws because it’s not a police agency.

A source familiar with the situation told NJBIZ that since the land that American Dream sits on is owned by NJSEA and is a state project, blue laws do not apply to it. They also pointed out that, for decades, fans of the New York Giants or New York Jets have been able to buy a jersey at MetLife Stadium during a Sunday football game.

The source also noted American Dream’s economic impact.

“American Dream is a tourist destination that benefits local and regional businesses, as well as the entire Meadowlands region. The full weekend experience is critical in fulfilling the state’s economic and tourism mission for the project. Sunday retail boosts the local economy, creates new jobs and increases tourism,” they said.

According to a Bergen County spokesperson, the county reached out Jan. 17 to the AG’s office for further clarification on who has the authority to enforce compliance.

The state declined comment on the matter.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:55 p.m. ET Jan. 21, 2025, to note the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office declined comment on the situation.

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