Bergen County officials upset over American Dream Mall ignoring blue laws: report

ByEyewitness News WABC logo
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Bergen County officials upset over American Dream Mall ignoring Blue Laws
The law that prohibits retail shopping on Sundays in Bergen County, NJ is apparently being broken by American Dream Mall.

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (WABC) -- Some officials in Bergen County are up in arms after reports that the American Dream mega-mall has been ignoring the county's blue laws, according to multiple reports.

Those laws require most retail businesses to be closed on Sundays.

According to the Bergen Record, this didn't just start, the mall has been open on Sundays for at least a year.

County officials have reached out to the state's attorney general's office for guidance and a county spokesperson or Deputy Chief of Staff to County Executive Tedesco released the following statement:

"County Executive 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. 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. The County Administration intends to seek further clarification from the NJ State Attorney General to determine who has the authority to enforce compliance."

Meanwhile, the CEO of the mall's parent company issued a statement saying they are "ecstatic" to provide for residents on Sundays.

ALSO READ: Memphis Seoul fuses Southern soul food with Korean flavors

Memphis Seoul fuses Southern soul food with Korean flavors in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

----------


* Get Eyewitness News Delivered


* More New Jersey news


* Send us a news tip


* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts


* Follow us on YouTube


Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.

Copyright © 2025 WABC-TV. All Rights Reserved.