Shopping Malls Reopen After COVID-19 Restrictions Lightened
May 4, 2020, 4:49 PM | Updated: 7:11 pm
FARMINGTON, Utah – Several major shopping malls in Utah are reopening after state leaders moved Utah’s COVID-19 level from high to moderate, and into the stabilization phase.
Fashion Place Mall in Murray opens on Tuesday, and City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake opens on Wednesday.
As for Station Park in Farmington, people may not have realized it, but it never closed.
Most of the individual stores are still dark, but at least two shops have been open the whole time.
Mackenzie Hickenlooper’s said her job at Hope Ave. is a lot more work these days
“Between customers we’re wiping down the registers,” said Hickenlooper. “We steam each item before we can put it back on the sales floor.”
But she doesn’t seem to mind.
“I think it’s been good for my sanity,” she laughed.
Hickenlooper is one of the lucky ones whose employer stayed open.
Hope Ave. and Downeast at Station Park both remained open during the quarantine, but it definitely wasn’t business as usual.
“It’s been a little rough. We’ve definitely seen decreases in our traffic, probably even some days up to 90 to 100 percent where we’re not seeing a customer walk into our doors,” said Kilee Kelly.
Kelly is hoping with some lightened restrictions, they’ll get some of that business back. But they’re letting customers know their stores will be a little different.
“It’s going to be a little bit different shopping experience than they’re probably used to,” said Hickenlooper.
At most retail shops, you’ll likely see employees wearing masks, limiting the number of people allowed in the store and taking steps to clean and wipe down everything.
Most stores will also have shorter hours, and not all of them will have their dressing rooms open.
But despite the restrictions, they said they’re excited to welcome shoppers back.
“We really do feel like retail therapy is a real thing, and that mental support that we could give to people is really important during this time,” said Kelly.
Not all Hope Ave. and Downeast locations have been open, including the stores at City Creek and Fashion Place. This week that changes, and employees are counting down the days.
“Our conference call this morning to people, there were so many cheers. Everybody is pumped. They’re ready to come back to work, and they’re really just ready to help our guests again,” said Kelly.
The malls may be reopening this week, but that doesn’t mean all the stores will be open. To find out which ones are and which ones aren’t, you can check your mall’s website.
