The three major malls in the Rochester area are eyeing June 1 as a target date to reopen.
Wilmorite Management Group, which owns Eastview Mall, Marketplace Mall, and the Mall at Greece Ridge, said they have not yet received word for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office, but say signs point to them likely reopening on Monday, June 1 as part of the Phase 2 reopening.
Pittsford Plaza, which is also owned by Wilmorite, is included in the reopening plan.
In a letter sent to tenants on Tuesday, management encouraged staff and stores to be ready to re-open on Monday.
“It will be your responsibility to meet all New York State mandates and CDC guidelines,” the letter read.
Those requirements include completing an online Business Affirmation Form and having a reopening plan written for use.
Each store or business operating inside the mall are required to provide masks for staff and have thermometers to take employees’ temperature before every shift. In addition, all self-service food & drink areas and food samples are temporarily being halted.
Advance notice is mandatory for any business that is choosing re-open or participate in curbside pick-up. Any store opting to use curbside pickup will be required to use designated areas and maintain specific hours of operations. Shoppers will not be allowed into the common areas of the malls until the mall is officially reopened.
A statement from Wilmorite issued Thursday underscored the fact that this is not a definitive date for reopening, simply a plan for what could happen.
“Currently, the malls do not have a date for re-opening,” a spokesperson for Wilmorite said. “We have asked our stores to prepare to re-open but clearly stated that the date is set by the Governor’s office, not us. We were hoping to hear word today in the Governor’s daily speech on the timing for Phase II. It is disappointing that we still do not have a target date since many retailers need time to call their staff back to work and prepare their stores. Without this, it will take many of the stores weeks to re-open even after the Governor’s office gives the green light. Currently, the only alternative for retailers is curbside pick-up, which is not a viable option for most. The malls are ready to re-open and have completed all necessary preparations. We are now hoping to receive news on an exact opening date soon.”
— 13 WHAM