WestShore Plaza announced plans to reopen on Friday, May 8, joining other Bay area malls like International Plaza, Tampa Premium Outlets and St. Petersburg’s Tyrone Square Mall who’ve all decided to open after Gov. Ron DeSantis said non-essential retailers were allowed to open at 25% capacity.
In a press release, WestShore Plaza—located at 250 WestShore Plaza in Tampa—said that not all of its individual tenants would be open, and advised shoppers to call ahead to their favorite stores. At International Plaza—which opened today with limited hours—only 50% of the shops are open. International Plaza’s Marketing Director, Lindsay Grinstead, even told WFLA that her mall would close entrances if that 25% capacity is reached.
“We will close entrances until the capacity has been reduced and we can allow shoppers back in,” Grinstead told the TV station.
Westfield malls in Brandon, Countryside and Citrus Park have plans to open on May 15.
All the malls have shifted food court seating arrangements, enacted new cleaning regimens, installed additional hand sanitizer dispensers and require most staff to wear a face mask. Guests are encouraged to wear masks as well, but are not required to. International Plaza even has a spot where customers can have pre-ordered items from 60 stores walked out to their cars.
Six-feet social distancing applies to each mall, and play places are still off limits. Hours vary at each mall.
Westshore Plaza’s AMC Theatre is still closed.
Shop ‘til you drop, fam!
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