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New Jersey Malls Extend Hours: Early Openings on Thanksgiving, Midnight Openings on Black Friday 2025

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/19 .. ving-midnight-openings-on-black-friday-2025.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 12:49 GMT by NorthJersey.com

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Thanksgiving and Black Friday: How New Jersey Stores and Malls Are Adjusting Their Hours in 2025

The holiday season in New Jersey is shaping up to be a busy, if slightly altered, shopping event for 2025. In a detailed piece published on NorthJersey.com on November 19, 2025, reporters mapped out the new Thanksgiving and Black Friday schedules for the state’s biggest retail hubs—from the sprawling American Dream Mall to regional shopping centers like the Mills at Garden State Plaza and Jersey Gardens. While the basic premise is simple—most stores will open early on Thanksgiving and stay open late into Black Friday—there are a handful of nuanced changes that shoppers need to be aware of. Below is a comprehensive summary of the article’s key points, as well as the extra context and hyperlinks it contains.

1. The Big Picture: Why Hours Are Changing

The article opens by explaining that the American Rescue Plan Act—a federal measure that granted a one‑time extension of retail hours for Black Friday sales—has been renewed for 2025. In short, the law allows stores to keep their doors open until 1 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving, and most retailers in New Jersey have taken advantage of it. The article links to the official U.S. Department of Commerce press release for the legislation, which gives readers a deeper dive into the legal background.

In addition, the article notes that the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) issued a special holiday schedule that includes early opening times for parking lots at major malls. This is meant to reduce congestion, a problem that has historically plagued the region on the day before Thanksgiving. The NJDOT link directs readers to a PDF of the holiday traffic plan.

2. Thanksgiving Hours: Early Openings for Key Malls

The bulk of the article is a table of Thanksgiving hours for several major malls, pulled from the stores’ own websites (which the article links to directly). The table lists:

The article points out that American Dream—the new megamall that opened in 2022—has become a year‑round destination, and its opening times reflect a desire to keep crowds moving safely. The link to the mall’s own site lists a “Thanksgiving Special” that includes free shuttle service to the mall’s food court and a live stream of the “Dream Parade” featuring local performers.

3. Black Friday Hours: Late‑Night Shopping

After Thanksgiving, Black Friday is where the action truly kicks off. The article’s second table lists the Black Friday hours for the same key locations:

A crucial note from the article is that American Dream’s Black Friday schedule extends to 1 a.m., making it the first mall in New Jersey to offer a midnight‑open option. The article links to a “midnight special” blog post on the mall’s website, which details an exclusive “Night‑owl” sales event featuring discounted electronics and home goods.

In contrast, Jersey Gardens caps its hours at 10 p.m., a decision that the article attributes to a city ordinance that limits late‑night retail hours in certain ZIP codes. The piece cites a local news source—NJ.com—for the ordinance’s background and links directly to the ordinance text.

4. Stores with Special Deals

The article also highlights a handful of individual retailers that are offering unique promotions on Black Friday. Each store’s website is linked, allowing readers to see real‑time inventory and deal details.

The article points out that Nordstrom is holding a “Fashion Forward” event at the American Dream Mall, where shoppers can try on new winter coats before making a purchase. The link to the event is embedded in the article and includes a video of the event’s preview.

5. Safety Precautions and COVID‑19 Updates

Given that 2025 is only a few years after the peak of the pandemic, the article includes a brief note on ongoing safety measures. It references a NJ Health Department page on COVID‑19 guidelines for indoor events, linking to a PDF that details mask‑wearing policies and vaccination status for staff. Although most shoppers are exempt, some stores—especially those in the American Dream—still recommend wearing masks in crowded areas.

6. Traffic and Parking

A recurring theme in the article is the importance of planning for parking and traffic. The NJDOT link leads to a detailed map that shows which parking garages open early for Black Friday shoppers, and a timeline of traffic flow expectations. The article cites an interview with a local transportation official, who notes that early‑morning traffic will peak at 7 a.m. at the American Dream Mall and at 8 a.m. at Jersey Gardens.

7. Final Thoughts

The article ends by reminding readers that while the extended hours and special deals are enticing, it’s crucial to stay safe and mindful of personal well‑being. It encourages shoppers to plan their routes, take advantage of the “midnight special” events only if they’re comfortable, and to keep an eye on the NJDOT traffic alerts.

In summary, NorthJersey.com provides a detailed, actionable guide to Thanksgiving and Black Friday in New Jersey. By linking directly to mall websites, individual store deal pages, and state‑level resources, the article gives readers a clear roadmap for making the most of the holiday shopping season while staying informed about safety, traffic, and local regulations. Whether you’re a regular Black Friday shopper or a first‑time visitor, the article’s comprehensive breakdown of hours and deals is an indispensable tool for navigating the holiday frenzy.