COMPANIES

Missing the mall? They're opening back up in Southwest Florida, with restrictions

Laura Layden
Fort Myers News-Press

Malls are springing back to life again across Southwest Florida. 

With the lifting of some coronavirus-related operating restrictions on restaurants and retailers in Florida on Monday, some malls wasted no time in reopening. Others have taken a little longer, with several planning to get up and running again on Friday or by next week.

Restaurants and retail stores can now operate at 25% capacity indoors in what Gov. Ron DeSantis has described as "phase one" of the reopening process.

While malls are reopening, some stores aren't ready to swing their doors back open to customers just yet. So some stores will remain dark — or offer only curbside pickup of online orders — for now.

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Leo Ben greets customers with samples at the door of Adore at Miromar Outlets on Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Estero. The mall reopened on Monday, but many of the stores remain closed.

Mall chains that started opening their stores this week include Abercrombie & Fitch, Macy's and Coach.

Retailers must follow safety guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety And Health Administration, requiring social distancing and other protocols for the protection of employees and customers in their stores. 

Initially, store and mall hours will be more limited. So it's good to check on hours before you go.

At The Village Shops on Venetian Bay in Naples, most stores have reopened, but their hours vary, said Tori Marini, the center's marketing and social media manager.

"About 90% to 95% are open," she said. "A few will open later on."

While it doesn't have any doors to swing open, the shopping center officially reopened Monday, Marini said, and since then customers have been "trickling back in again."

Miromar Outlets in Estero also reopened Monday, but many of its stores remained dark Thursday, with light customer traffic. More of the mall's retailers are expected to begin welcoming customers back inside their stores Friday and next week.

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Bell Tower in Fort Myers reopened Monday, too.

"A majority of tenants are open with more planning to open shortly," said Julie Clark, the shopping center's marketing manager, in an email.

A couple is reflected in the front doors of the closed Oakley store at Miromar Outlets as they ride their bikes on Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Estero. Some of the stores and restaurants are open at the mall. Many of the stores remain closed for now.

While Bell Tower has always maintained high standards for cleanliness, it's more of a focus than ever due to the coronavirus scare, she said.

"We implemented several measures to ensure the immediate and ongoing health and safety of our customers, merchants and employees," Clark said. "In accordance with CDC guidelines, staff is continuing enhanced cleaning procedures within the common areas of the center, focusing on 'high touch areas' and public restrooms, utilizing disinfecting products approved by the CDC."

More hand sanitizing stations have been added and signage reminds customers about the need to social distance, to wash their hands frequently and to take other safety precautions to protect themselves from the coronavirus.

"Bell Tower customers are appreciative of the steps we have taken to ensure their safety, and we certainly are happy to welcome them back to Bell Tower," Clark said.

Hertz clears one hurdle. But what's next?

Sanibel Outlets in Fort Myers opened Monday as well, but many of the big chains have yet to reopen their stores, as they work to finalize plans for how they will do so, said Sara Holderfield, general manager.

"They are all working on their national reopening plans," she said. "We are just getting bits and pieces of information from the national brands, as to what their plans of action are."

Unfortunately, she said, many of the chains' employees are still furloughed, as the retailers try to determine how much staff they'll need to initially meet customer demands.

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Currently, there are 12 stores and restaurants open at the mall, with three of the retailers offering curbside pickup only, Holderfield said.

Those three retailers are Rack Room Shoes, Vitamin World and Coach.

A few groups of people dine outside at Ford's Garage at Miromar Outlets on Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Estero.

At Waterside Shops in Naples, stores are open for curbside pickup or by appointment only. That will soon change.

With the official reopening of the open-air mall slated for Monday at noon, dozens of its retailers are expected to allow customers back inside their stores, with limited hours and new operating rules in place. 

On Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South, two of the more popular shopping destinations in downtown Naples, some stores reopened this week, with others still offering shopping by appointment or online only.

Phase two of Florida's reopening could start in a few weeks, which may include loosening capacity limits for restaurants and retailers. Nothing has been decided yet.

At a Glance

These are some of the malls and shopping centers that have already reopened in Southwest Florida:

Here are a few that open Friday: 

Waterside Shops will officially reopen at noon Monday.