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2m ago

Paramus Sues American Dream, Citing Sunday Blue Law Violations

The case tests whether Bergen County’s Sunday closing rules apply to retail on state-controlled Meadowlands property.

Image
FILE - People walk through the luxury wing at the American Dream shopping mall in East Rutherford, N.J., Sept. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, file)
FILE - In this Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020, file photo, shoppers and pedestrians walk through a concourse at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)
American Dream mall in East Rutherford, NJ. (Shutterstock)

Overview

  • Paramus filed suit in Bergen County Superior Court alleging the East Rutherford complex opens 120 retail stores on Sundays in violation of county law.
  • The complaint names Ameream, Bergen County, the borough of East Rutherford, and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority as defendants.
  • The filing claims retailers have violated the law hundreds or thousands of times since January and cites website listings and billboards reading “All Stores Open Sundays.”
  • Paramus seeks a public-nuisance ruling and tiered fines from $250 for a first offense up to $5,000 for fourth and subsequent violations.
  • American Dream calls the case a meritless political stunt and says county rules do not apply on state-owned land, while NJSEA declined to comment and the county executive voiced support for enforcing Blue Laws.