In October 2019, the $5 billion entertainment complex and mega-mall American Dream opened in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after about two decades of planning.
Then, the pandemic hit. It reopened again in October 2020 at a time when most Americans had shifted to online shopping for a safer experience.
Now that vaccines are readily available, American Dream developer Paul Ghermezian and his team are hoping customers will look for that in-person experience that they missed throughout 2020. Not only does the mall boast stores at all price ranges, from Hermes to Zara, but it also is home to the DreamWorks Water Park, the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, and the Big Snow indoor ski slope, among other attractions. As the holiday shopping season gets in full swing, he's hoping people will stop by for gifts as well as to take advantage of the special events and deals American Dream will offer.