Woodland Mall is reopening June 1st by appointment only.
The roadmap to safely reopening Woodland Mall’s 23-million square feet involves gathering information from shopping center operators reopening overseas and from peers in other states. It’s taking guidance from the Centers for Disease Control as well as state and local health departments implementing best practices.
“We’ve limited access to the shopping center so we can watch the patrons come in and out, so we can offer them masks if they don’t have one.”
Heather Crowell is executive vice president of strategy and communication for PREIT. It’s the real estate invest trust that owns and operates Woodland Mall.
“Our housekeeping staff working around the clock cleaning those high-touch surfaces very regularly like the door handles.”
Sanitation stations at entry and exit points, social distancing markers placed on the floors, concourse and food court furniture removed and the play area is closed. In the bathrooms CDC handwashing guidelines are posted on mirrors and physical distancing is enforced with every other stall and sink taken out of commission.
All measures taken in preparation for June 1st when shopping returns by appointment only with up to 10 shoppers per store. Total mall capacity of 750 customers at any given time.
“If you want to go to a specific store, call ahead, make an appointment…we’ve also created a curbside model where our retailers can take advantage of parking spaces that we’ve designated for curbside pickup for shoppers who may not want to come in yet.”
PREIT has reopened four other malls. Crowell has observed customers shopping with a purpose and respectful of others.
I’m Patrick Center.