Sunday is one of the busiest shopping days in New Jersey — but not every mall is open. Bergen County’s famous blue laws keep retail stores closed on Sundays at Garden State Plaza and Paramus Park, while nearly every other NJ mall is fully open. Here’s exactly where you can shop this Sunday.
The Short Answer
Almost all NJ malls are open on Sundays — except malls in Bergen County, which are closed for retail due to blue laws. That means Garden State Plaza and Paramus Park are off the table for Sunday shopping. American Dream is the interesting exception: it sits on state land in East Rutherford and has opened retail on Sundays since 2024, though the legal debate with Bergen County is still ongoing.
Bergen County Blue Laws: What You Need to Know
Bergen County is the only county in New Jersey — and one of the last places in the entire U.S. — that still enforces Sunday retail closing laws. The rules are especially strict in Paramus, where three of the county’s five major malls are located. On Sundays, retail stores there are simply closed.
There are a few exceptions. Restaurants, food courts, pharmacies, gas stations, and movie theaters are allowed to operate. So you can grab a meal at the Garden State Plaza food court on a Sunday — you just can’t buy a pair of jeans while you’re there.
Pro tip: If you live in North Jersey and want to avoid the Bergen County blue law headache, Willowbrook Mall in Wayne (Passaic County) is your best Sunday alternative. It’s just a short drive away and fully open.
NJ Malls Closed on Sundays (Bergen County)
These malls are closed for retail shopping on Sundays due to Bergen County blue laws:
- Garden State Plaza (Paramus) — Food court and AMC theaters are open; all retail stores closed.
- Paramus Park Mall (Paramus) — Fully closed on Sundays, including food options.
- Shops of Riverside (Hackensack) — Closed for retail on Sundays (Bergen County rules apply).
What About American Dream?
American Dream in East Rutherford is a special case. The mall sits on land owned by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (state land), which it argues puts it outside Bergen County’s blue law jurisdiction. Retail stores at American Dream have been open on Sundays since 2024. Bergen County officials disagree and the case is still working through the courts — but in practice, American Dream is open on Sundays and you can shop there. Sunday hours are typically 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; always verify on their site before visiting.
NJ Malls Open on Sundays — By Region
Every NJ mall outside Bergen County is open on Sundays. Hours vary per location — check the individual mall page for the most current times, including holiday exceptions.
North & Northeast NJ
- American Dream — East Rutherford (open Sundays, see note above)
- Willowbrook Mall — Wayne
- Newport Centre — Jersey City
- Jersey Gardens — Elizabeth
- Palisades Center — West Nyack, NY
Central NJ
- The Mall at Short Hills — Millburn
- Bridgewater Commons — Bridgewater
- Freehold Raceway Mall — Freehold
- Woodbridge Center — Woodbridge
- Menlo Park Mall — Edison
- Monmouth Mall — Eatontown
- Quaker Bridge Mall — Lawrence Township
- East Brunswick Mall — East Brunswick
- Rockaway Townsquare — Rockaway
South NJ
- Cherry Hill Mall — Cherry Hill
- Moorestown Mall — Moorestown
- Deptford Mall — Deptford
- Hamilton Mall — Mays Landing
- Ocean County Mall — Toms River
- Cumberland Mall — Vineland
NJ Outlet Centers
All NJ outlet centers are open on Sundays. Most open at 10 AM — an hour earlier than traditional malls. Check each outlet’s page for current hours.
- Jersey Shore Premium Outlets — Tinton Falls
- Gloucester Premium Outlets — Blackwood
- Atlantic City Outlets (The Walk) — Atlantic City
- Flemington Outlets — Flemington
- Secaucus Outlets — Secaucus
- Jackson Premium Outlets — Jackson
Sunday Shopping Tips for New Jersey
Before you head out on a Sunday, here are a few things worth knowing:
- Hours are shorter. Most NJ malls open at 11 AM on Sundays and close earlier than on weekdays — typically by 6 or 7 PM. Plan accordingly.
- Individual stores may keep different hours. Even when the mall is open, anchor stores like Macy’s or Nordstrom sometimes open later or close earlier. Check the store’s website or call ahead.
- Clothing is always tax-free in NJ. Unlike other states, New Jersey doesn’t charge sales tax on clothing and footwear — no matter which mall you visit or which day you go. See our NJ tax-free shopping guide for the full details.
- North Jersey shoppers: head to Willowbrook. If you’re in Bergen County and frustrated by the blue laws, Wayne is just a short drive and Willowbrook is fully open all day Sunday.
- Outlet centers open earlier. Premium Outlets locations like Jersey Shore and Gloucester open at 10 AM on Sundays — an hour earlier than most malls — giving you more time to browse the deals.
