New Jersey town sues American Dream Mall for selling clothes on Sunday under 'blue law' that dates back centuries

"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."

"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."

American Dream in East Rutherford combines large-scale entertainment attractions with dozens of big-name retail stores. Paramus officials filed a lawsuit alleging that the complex violated Bergen County blue laws that prohibit Sunday sales of nonessential items such as clothing, appliances and furniture. Blue laws in New Jersey have religious origins and now aim to reduce traffic and noise for local residents. Paramus officials say most other county retail closes on Sundays. American Dream opened in 2019 near MetLife Stadium with retail intended to close Sundays, but retailers reportedly began opening the extra day; the mall contends county laws do not apply to state-owned property.

Read at Fortune