Last mall to stay open in Mecklenburg closes ahead of coronavirus stay-at-home order
Mecklenburg County’s lone open mall is now closed amid the novel coronavirus global pandemic. However, some businesses may still be open.
“Most stores have temporarily closed,” a message posted Wednesday night on Carolina Place mall’s website states. “Essential retailers such as pharmacies and food delivery/takeout will be available.”
The county’s “stay-at-home” order takes effect at 8 a.m. Thursday for all non-essential businesses and operations to temporarily stop operations until April 16.
Essential workers, according to the order, include hospital and medical staff, pharmacy employees, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS Agency, some government employees and food service and grocery store employees. “There are other essential business operations that can continue to operate,” the order states, but does not detail what those include.
The Pineville mall’s statement online says: “The mall’s interior common areas will cease operations, but we anticipate that food-use tenants may continue to operate for pick-up and delivery service, and public access to essential businesses and operations will be permitted.”
“Essential tenants remaining open is a small way we can serve our community at this time.,” Lindsey Kahn, spokeswoman for Brookfield Properties’ shopping centers which manages Carolina Place Mall, said Thursday. She said to watch the mall’s website for updates.
The mall’s walker program also has been suspended, according to the website. The county order also prohibits public and private gatherings of more than 10 people.
Other malls
Four other large Charlotte-area shopping centers voluntarily closed earlier.
Northlake Mall temporarily closed at the end of business Monday following Gov. Roy Cooper’s ban on gatherings of 50 or more people to combat the spread of COVID-19.
At the time, Northlake said it planned to reopen April 6, but that was before the county’s stay-at-home order was issued Tuesday.
The mall also said businesses like Dillard’s and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill would remain open, however, Wednesday night the website showed that they were closed.
Last week, Simon Property Group, which owns SouthPark Mall, Concord Mills and Charlotte Premium Outlets, closed its shopping centers nationwide.
All three websites Wednesday night said, “Essential retailers such as pharmacies and food delivery/take-out may be available.”
The centers had planned to reopen March 29, again prior to the county’s new order issued Tuesday.
Monroe Crossing in Union County also voluntarily closed. Two other malls outside of Charlotte, Eastridge Mall in Gastonia and Rock Hill Galleria, remain open with reduced hours, according to their websites.
Several large retailers, including Charlotte-based Belk department store, also announced temporary store closings this month.
On Monday, Cooper ordered fitness centers to close. However, Mecklenburg County had already ordered gyms, as well as movie theaters, to close last week. Cooper’s order also told hair salons, barbershops, nail salons and massage therapists to close by 5 p.m. Wednesday.
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 7:29 AM with the headline "Last mall to stay open in Mecklenburg closes ahead of coronavirus stay-at-home order."