Niagara malls getting back to business
Gradual reopenings have made it easier to keep up with pandemic protocols
There were 80 stores ready to welcome customers back when The Pen Centre reopened its doors on June 19.
Since then, another 34 retailers have unlocked their entrances and turned the lights on again after shutting down in March, said marketing director Helen Edwards in a statement.
Easily the busiest of Niagara’s three indoor malls Saturday, a steady flow of people made their way through the main corridors, following arrows and other physical distancing signage.
Edwards said the mall is “thrilled” with how things have been running since Niagara entered Stage 2 of the province’s reopening plan and it was allowed to get back to business.
“While it’s clear that our customers have been excited to return to Pen Centre, we sincerely appreciate that they have respected our health and safety measures and are practising social distancing while enjoying some retail therapy,” said Edwards.
Stores that were closed Saturday included Lids, Spencer’s, Gateway Newstands, Things Engraved, Carlton Cards and Rolly Polly Cow.
Out of the 11 choices at the food court, seven were in service Saturday. The dining area is closed and taped off.
The mall appeared to be a popular choice for the afternoon as only spots near the outer edge of the parking lot were available in the middle of the afternoon. Bath & Body Works had the longest line of shoppers waiting to spend money at about 2 p.m., consisting of more than 20 people.
Patient buyers were also seen lined up outside American Eagle Outfitters and La Vie en Rose.
Malls are not allowed to have benches out, in accordance with provincial rules.
This is one restriction Seaway Mall president Mike Belcastro is getting a lot of feedback on.
“That’s the biggest complaint we’re getting — from seniors and people that are handicapped,” Belcastro said Saturday.
“We’re hoping that at some point they let us bring them back.”
He said about 60 per cent of the mall’s stores and services have returned since opening June 19. The number of people coming through the doors is about 60 per cent of a normal crowd this time of year, he said.
It’s expected the Welland mall will be running full capacity by early July.
A gradual opening, rather than every store coming back at once has made things easier, Belcastro said.
“It gives us more time to do what we have to do,” he said about provincial orders.
Close to two dozen people could be seen roaming the mall at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
On the mall’s first day or reopening, Belcastro said a line leading to the outdoor-facing entrance of Winners wrapped around the building.
“I’ve never seen anything like that. It was crazy.”
Close to 10 people formed a line outside Cleo Ricki’s at Seaway Mall late Saturday morning.
Niagara Falls resident Jean Marlatt said she had been waiting about 15 minutes to exchange an online order. She said she feels safe with safety measures in place.
“I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t think so,” she said. Fairview Mall on Geneva Street in St. Catharines appeared to be about half-open, with most of the traffic there about 3 p.m. Saturday drawn by Chapters, Mark’s, Sport Chek and Winners.
Cinemas at Niagara’s malls are not expected to open until Stage 3.
Outlet Collection at Niagara, an outdoor mall in Niagara-onthe-lake, started welcoming customers June 8.