On any given Sunday, the massive American Dream mall in New Jersey allows visitors to hit an indoor ski slope, surf an artificial wave, ride roller coasters — or shop for a new outfit at dozens of big-name retail stores.
One of those things is a problem, argues a new lawsuit against the massive entertainment and retail complex in East Rutherford – and it isn’t the thrillseekers.
American Dream, the suit from officials in nearby Paramus contends, is running afoul of a county law that has long prohibited the sale of nonessential items such as clothing, appliances and furniture on Sundays.
Such “blue laws” date back centuries in New Jersey and were originally rooted in religion. But modern proponents say they offer a welcome break for locals from traffic and noise in a region near New York City that’s teeming with shoppers throughout the week.
Officials in Paramus, a major shopping hub that boasts three large malls and miles of strip malls, say nearly every other retail store in the county is closed to shoppers on Sundays.
That was originally the plan for American Dream when it opened in 2019, adjacent to MetLife Stadium, where the NFL’s Jets and Giants play. Retail stores would close on Sunday, while the theme parks in the mall would remain open — but a report by NorthJersey.com in January says retailers there had also been opening their doors the extra day for nearly a year.
Do you guys remember that bible verse where jesus forbade selling blenders on sundays? Good times, good times.
Funny thing is in some countries shopping on Sunday is seen as issue of imposing religion on everyone while in other countries it’s seen as workers rights issue. In first case the left will fight for stores to be open on Sunday to “give people choice”, in second the left will fight for the stores to be closed to let workers rest during the weekend.
Saw what you will about blue laws, but this os a great example of “laws are only worth a damn if we’re willing to enforce them.”
But modern proponents say they offer a welcome break for locals from traffic and noise in a region near New York City that’s teeming with shoppers throughout the week.
I guess this is a valid point, but I wouldn’t go live near such a busy place in the first place.
Wearing heels in a shopping mall (lots of walking) ouch
nonessential items such as clothing, appliances and furniture
There might be some weird wording in the law or how the article is reporting on it, but those things feel pretty damn essential to me.
Good thing it’s legal to walk around naked since clothing isn’t essential.
Oh, you need a new fridge so that you can store food or medication? Sorry, appliances are nonessential.
Beds, chairs, tables, etc, who needs those?
Damn, and I thought it was weird that Arkansas doesn’t allow alcohol sales on Sundays.
Unless it’s just like a thing with the business or something, I feel like there shouldn’t be a legally mandated day where everything is closed.
