The Grand Traverse Mall is welcoming customers for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic shut down businesses across the nation.
Safety measures have been added, including hand sanitizing stations and frequent cleaning of “high touch areas” by janitorial staff.
Markings on the floor have been added to help customers keep the six foot distance while in line at the food court. But that's not the only change at the food court, according to the Grand Traverse Mall general manager Jonathan Pittman.
“We have also done social distancing of our food court tables and reduced food court tables by 50 percent,” he says.
People can still order curbside and the mall has also adopted hours to serve vulnerable populations. They are reserving time on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to welcome seniors or other people who may be at risk.
Even though the mall is opening, not all the businesses inside are re-opening today.
“Right now we’re at approximately around 19 to 20 tenants that are open,” Pittman says. “We are anticipating that within a week, another 19-20 will be open, bringing us up to closer to 60 or 70 percent of the mall.”
Of the anchor stores, just Dunhams and Target are open, along with three food court vendors and some retail stores. A complete list of their open businesses can be viewed on their website.
Some amenities will continue to be closed, including valet services, stroller rentals and play areas.
The mall-operated carousel is also at a standstill for the time being.
