Mall in New Jersey faces legal action for weekend clothing sales

The American Dream mall, a massive retail and entertainment complex located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is currently embroiled in a lawsuit. The prosecutor in the case is the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, with the borough of East Rutherford and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA), which owns and leases property to the mall, also named as defendants.

At the heart of the dispute is the alleged violation of Bergen County's blue laws, which restrict or prohibit certain activities, such as the sale of non-essential goods on Sundays. Despite being situated on state property, the American Dream mall is still accused of breaking these laws.

Blue laws date back to the 1600s and were modeled after English Sabbath laws, promoting a day of rest. By the 20th century, many blue laws had lost much of their importance, with many being either repealed or ignored in different parts of the country. However, Bergen County voters rejected efforts to end the Sunday shopping ban in 1980 and again in 1993.

The American Dream mall claims that retail sales have occurred on Sundays on property owned by the state for decades, implying that the blue laws do not apply to such property. However, the lawsuit alleges that the mall is in violation of Bergen County's blue laws by selling clothes on Sunday.

A spokesperson for American Dream stated that the suit is a "meritless political stunt driven by private competitors' interests." Fox Business reached out to East Rutherford town officials and NJSEA for comment, but no response was immediately available.

The lawsuit, filed against Ameream, the Delaware LLC that owns the mall, claims that the mall has hundreds, if not thousands, of violations since January. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is constitutional for states to create laws requiring a day of rest, adding a legal dimension to the ongoing dispute.

As the case progresses, the American Dream mall will face scrutiny over its Sunday shopping practices, potentially setting a precedent for other retail establishments in New Jersey and beyond.