I have no idea how it might be in other states, and specifically as it applies to Bergen County in NJ, but ‘blue laws’ here have been in place and enforced for quite a long time. These laws, which actually have their origin in 17th-century England, translate in our modern times to prohibit the sale of “nonessential goods” on Sunday in places like Lyndhurst, Lodi, and other spots in Bergen County.
But the American Dream mall, existing as it does in East Rutherford (yes, that’s in Bergen County), is open on Sundays, unlike its Paramus mall counterparts, as much for folks to enjoy its water park and other amusements as for stores to sell them “goods.” And people in nearby Paramus are pissed, or at least this is where a new lawsuit is emanating from that alleges that American Dream, ‘with the encouragement and support of the mall’s ownership and the acquiescence of the other defendants here, have violated the law hundreds if not thousands of times since January.’
East Rutherford and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority are also being sued, as both own and lease property at American Dream.
The AD mall, which began as a proposed project in 1996 and undoubtedly experienced its share of challenges, including protests, financial difficulties, and changes in ownership, finally opened in 2019. The massive indoor space, which we have all now passed driving east or west of Rte 3 plenty of times, supports 450 retail stores, over 100 eateries, as well as attractions DreamWorks Water Park and Nickelodeon Universe. As far as who is buying what nonessential goods and in what numbers, nobody can rightly calculate. But a rep for the mall claims that the suit being brought against them is a “meritless political stunt” and, furthermore, that Bergen County’s Blue Laws are not applicable since American Dream sits on state property where retail sales have occurred on Sundays for decades.
A story I heard about the Blue Law origin (and why it is indeed call “blue”) is that way back in merry old England, folks would enjoy a much needed rest on their Sunday, which would include as much attending some sort of religious service as imbibing at a local pub afterward (and really, what’s a God without a tipple?). But pub goers indulged so much on these Sundays, they couldn’t rise and shine for work the next day, so that Monday became known as a ‘Blue Monday.’
I’m not sure how true this story is or how it applies to shoppers in Bergen County, but I would be remiss in my writing duties if I didn’t give you the ‘goods’ as I have them.
