New Jersey's massive American Dream mall sued for selling clothes on a Sunday

[Coventina]

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.

https://apnews.com/article/american-dream-mall-sundays-blue-laws-b3b5db26c5b1bf0a69480feb0b2730e1?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

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The only blue law still on the books in AZ (that I know of, there may be more) is that you cannot sell liquor (retail) between 2am and 10am on Sunday mornings. (Unless you are a restaurant, or other licensed bar / tavern).

[regnaD kciN]

1. Back in Massachusetts in the late '60s...

…every retail outlet except grocery stores shut down on Sundays. It was a complete shock to me in the summer of 1970 when we went on vacation to L.A. and I, as a teenager, could walk down to any of several large record stores on Wilshire Avenue and pick up the latest album releases on Sunday. (Now, of course, it wouldn’t matter, since record stores are a thing of the past.)

[jmowreader]

2. It was that way in 1982 when I was there

[Celerity]

3. Record stores are absolutely still around. nt

[customerserviceguy]

4. I used to live in the area

and I've known about these ridiculous laws for years. Somebody should be able to deal with it as "a state establishment of religion" or something like that. I'd bet even Kavanaugh would find these laws archaic.

[LeftInTX]

8. Texas used to have those. They were repealed in 1985.

Nowadays only liquor stores are required to be closed on Sunday.

[customerserviceguy]

10. Yes, the Carolinas used to be quite restrictive

I remember visiting North Carolina (while I was living in New York state) and having to hang out till the clock struck noon in order to buy two six packs of local beer to take home. I guess they figured I was supposed to be in church rather than buying beer. Still, it's the imposition of a religion to dictate when a legal product can be sold.

[newdeal2]

5. I can't imagine these laws are of any use anymore

They will just direct traffic and sales to a neighboring state or online sales. I’m sure Amazon still delivers on Sunday.

[Mossfern]

12. This is only one county

It's just a few minutes ride to get to the next NJ county that doesn't have blue laws.

[MagickMuffin]

6. Texas had them growing up, then it ended, I was so happy

Liquor stores cannot sell alcohol to the public. You can buy beer though.

I always disagreed with the Blue Laws especially since not everyone is a fundamentalist.
Why should we be subjected to these laws, if they don’t want to shop and buy things on Sunday then they should stay home and leave the rest of us alone.

No harm No foul. Everyone can be happy, however, they want everyone as miserable as they are.

Rapture Now!

That would solve so much suffering caused by their selfishness.

Rapture right f’ing NOW!

[LeftInTX]

9. It's really hard on young adults etc. One of your days off, you get to sit around and do nothing. What a waste!

[Jacson6]

7. They had them in Michigan, but repealed the blue law in 75. n/t

[Jersey Devil]

11. I lived there an Sunday closing laws are a PIA

The trouble is, to do away with the law you need,a county wide election which has,been tried several times. In the elections the voters in the,towns,with malls turn out in massive numbers to keep the Sunday closings,so they can have relief from traffic for one,day per week.