What Stores Will Be In the ‘American Dream’?

The mega-mall at the Meadowlands was first proposed in 2003; ground was broken in 2004 with a plan to open in 2006; a new company took over in 2007; construction stalled in 2009; another company purchased the property in 2013; construction stalled again in 2016; an opening was planned for early 2017, then summer 2017...and now plans are to open March 2019.

Beyond the usual trappings of a mall, the American Dream will include:

- North America's largest indoor water park
- KidZania, a miniature city run by kids
- A pair of roller coasters
- The first Sea Life aquarium in New Jersey
- A 22,000-square-foot arcade and bowling alley for adults
- A LEGOLAND discovery center
- A 12-story indoor ski park with an 800-foot-long hill
- A 300-foot-tall Ferris wheel offering a one-of-a-kind view of Manhattan
- A 4-D, dine-in movie theater

That's all great for a theme park, but if you're billing yourself as a mall, you need some stores!

Here's a list of the stores that will be setting up shop:

Aritzia ... Banana Republic ... Century 21 ... Gap ... Hermes ... Lululemon ... MAC ... Microsoft ... Pink ... Saks Fifth Avenue ... Uniqlo ... Victoria's Secret ... Zara

That's...fine, I guess? The thing is, there are already Microsoft and Victoria's Secret and Gap stores in every other mall, so why am I going to drive all the way up the Turnpike to get there? I understand the draw is all the other stuff, the water park and rollercoasters and all, but if that's the case, just make the whole thing a theme park, and skip the retail parts.

It'll be fascinating to see how things do. I'm sure it'll open with a big splash, maybe have a strong summer, but we'll have to see how long the initial buzz lasts.

More from 105.7 the Hawk: