Paramus Park, Garden State Plaza Malls Will Be Open On Thanksgiving
PARAMUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Two of the largest malls in Bergen County, New Jersey have decided to follow a national trend and stay open on the night of Thanksgiving Day.
Many shoppers told CBS2's Christine Sloan they love the idea that the Paramus Park and Garden State Plaza malls will be open. But others said it is sad that holidays do not seem to be sacred anymore.
With a big red ribbon at the front entrance, the Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall in Paramus was ready for the holiday season some six weeks before Christmas.
In recent years, both malls resisted the temptation to open up for Thanksgiving Day. Sources tell 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck that the Garden State Plaza made the decision to open because so many other retailers in the area are opening and the mall doesn't want to miss out on the demand.
"Given the enthusiasm by shoppers and retailers to open up earlier and earlier each year, Westfield Garden State Plaza will open on Thanksgiving Day from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.," said Lisa Hermann of Westfield Garden State Plaza.
Paramus Park will observe those same hours on Thanksgiving Day, but has given stores the option of closing or staying open. A representative of the mall said shopping on Thanksgiving has now become a tradition.
"I kind of like the idea – I am not going to lie," said shopper Lisa Montagna, "although I would never be able to get here. But if I could, I would shop."
But the Nordstrom and Nieman Marcus stores at Westfield will keep their doors closed. Off camera, some employees were thankful, and so was Paramus Mayor Richard LaBarbiera.
LaBarbiera said he is not happy with the trend of turning Turkey Day into a shopping fest.
"I'm disappointed," he said. "I wish that people would be home spending time with their family, sitting around the table, and giving thanks for the true meaning of the holiday."
Paramus Park, Garden State Plaza Malls Will Be Open On Thanksgiving
LaBarbiera said shoppers have a choice and can stay home.
"I think the retailers will recognize that there's no money to be made," LaBarbiera told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
Besides strict Bergen County blue laws on Sunday, Paramus has strict rules that prevent retailers from opening during overnight hours – partly because of the traffic mess in neighborhoods around the malls.
"This is U-turn capital of the world," said William Philip of Paramus.
But despite signs that point out that U-turns are forbidden, some residents are dreading the possibility of more U-turns and other traffic problems on Thanksgiving.
"It is a nightmare as it is," Philip said. "It is going to be much worse."
Many also said store employees deserve the evening off with their families.
"People also have the right to relax, enjoy family, enjoy things they're thankful for," one man said.
"When I was growing up, (on) Thanksgiving Day everything was closed -- supermarkets, drug stores, retail," another man said. "It was a holiday."
Some said closing everything on Thanksgiving Day is the way to go.
"I think it should be closed," one man who was shopping at Garden State Plaza on Wednesday told Haskell. "Let the employees have off, spend time with their families."
"My husband used to work in retail, and I think they really get taken advantage of and I just don't think it's fair," one woman said. "I don't think they should be open because for all the people that have to work, it's not fair to them. Thanksgiving should be family time. People shouldn't shop on Thanksgiving."
If Thanksgiving shopping is not enough, the Westfield Garden State Plaza Mall will open up at 7 a.m. on Black Friday, and will close at 11 a.m. that day.
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