Central Mass. malls reopening this week
Photo | Grant Welker
The Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough, like other shopping malls, has been closed during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
This week is marking a major milestone in a return toward normalcy for the Massachusetts economy as major shopping malls reopen.
In Central Massachusetts, the Natick Mall and Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster reopened Monday, though in both cases not all retailers opened their doors right away.
The Auburn Mall and Solomon Pond Mall in Marlborough are reopening Wednesday, along with other major malls across the state including Burlington Mall, Copley Place in Boston, Northshore Mall in Peabody, South Shore Plaza in Braintree and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets. Each of those malls are owned by Indianapolis-based mall operator Simon.
Shopping malls were among those forced to close in March when Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency because of the coronavirus pandemic. With new cases now on a downward trend for more than a month, this week has marked the reopening of outdoor dining at restaurants and reopening of hotels.
Malls are reopening with extra precautions in place.
At the Natick Mall, for example, the food court seating area remains closed, and food court vendors who've reopened can serve food for take-out only. Valet services, play areas, stroller rentals and mall-operated carousels are closed. The mall said it has installed hand-sanitizing stations, has marked social distancing directions, and is conducting frequent and intense cleanings.
Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Wegmans and other stores have begun offering curbside pick-ups for orders.
Simon said its malls are reopening with more thorough sanitizing and disinfecting, particularly in high-traffic areas. Its malls are making available to shoppers protective masks, sanitizing wipes and temperature testing. Hand sanitizing stations have been installed, as well as signs promoting guidelines for maintaining personal hygiene. Pre-emptive employee health screening is being implemented to ensure workers don't arrive for a shift within 72 hours of showing coronavirus or flu-like symptoms.
The outdoor Shoppes at Blackstone Valley in Millbury has remained open throughout the pandemic, including anchor store Target. But other tenants remained closed, including Kohl's and Marshalls. Others are open for curbside orders only, including Best Buy and Dick's Sporting Goods.
For Central Massachusetts, the reopenings come after the Walmart Supercenter in Worcester had to be temporarily closed in late April and early May after 81 workers there tested positive for coronavirus. Another 27 workers tested positive at the Sam's Club fulfillment center, which is located in the same Worcester Crossing plaza.
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