Paramus Sues American Dream Mall Over Sunday Operations and Blue Laws

Lawsuit Against American Dream Mall

• 🏛️ The city of Paramus, New Jersey is suing the American Dream Mall in Bergen County.
• ⚖️ The lawsuit claims the mall is violating the state's blue laws, which restrict retail operations on Sundays.

Blue Laws and Unfair Competition

• 📜 New Jersey's blue laws prohibit most non-essential shopping on Sundays to improve quality of life and reduce traffic.
• 🛍️ While most shops in Bergen County are closed on Sundays, American Dream remains open, creating an unfair competitive disadvantage for local retailers.
• 💰 Business owners like Anilio Ortega of Bambi Baby state that this directly impacts their bottom line.

Mall's Response and County's Stance

• 📢 American Dream Mall responded by calling the lawsuit a "meritless political stunt" driven by competitors, asserting that Bergen County's blue laws do not apply to property owned by the state.
• 🤝 Bergen County Executive James Tedesco agrees that American Dream should be closed on Sundays but states he lacks the legal power to enforce it.

Shopper Opinions

• 👍 Shoppers interviewed at the mall expressed positive views, stating that American Dream being open on Sundays is a good thing and does not harm anyone.
• 🛒 They believe people should have the choice of where to shop, and convenience plays a role in their decisions.