Dayton Mall, Mall at Fairfield Commons to reopen next week

The Dayton Mall and the Mall at Fairfield Commons will both reopen next week, with additional safeguards in place to protect shoppers and employees during the coronavirus pandemic, spokeswomen for both retail shopping destinations announced this morning, May 5.

Blood drives also are planned at both shopping malls, which are owned by Washington Prime Inc.

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Both malls will open on Tuesday, May 12, and will have identical hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

A release from each mall warned shoppers that the planned reopening dates for individual tenant stores may vary, “so guests are encouraged to call ahead and to follow along on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date information.”

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And both malls have made additions to their “Code of Conduct” that are “effective immediately and until further notice.” They include:

-- Practice social distancing and stay at least six feet from other people.

-- Covering your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover is recommended.

-- Do not gather in groups.

-- Adhere to each individual tenant’s COVID-19 policies.

-- Adhere to all federal, state and local regulations, recommendations and mandates regarding COVID-19.

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In addition, the malls said their “already rigorous disinfectant and cleaning practices will continue, many times per day, including periodically disinfecting areas most susceptible to the spread of germs.”

“Alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers are located in highly-trafficked areas and walkways for public use. Center management is meeting with housekeeping on a daily basis and monitoring alcohol-based hand sanitizing product supply to help ensure all units are stocked,” mall officials said.

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“We are inspired by the resilience of our community and look forward to safely welcoming back our guests,” both Dave Duebber, general manager of the Dayton Mall, and Leanne Rubosky, general manager at The Mall at Fairfield Commons, said in their releases. “We will continue to work with local, state and federal agencies to do all we can in order to contribute to the containment, treatment and prevention of COVID-19.”

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A Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Dayton Mall on May 15 from noon to 6 p.m., and the Mall at Fairfield Commons will host its Red Cross Blood Drive on May 27. Sign up to be a donor at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.

Steve Willshaw, general manager of The Greene Town Center, said this morning that his retail destination has “a large number of retail tenants that plan to resume in-store operations on May 12, following the state’s guidelines.” The Greene will update shoppers through its social media and email newsletters, Willshaw said.

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“Outdoor” retail centers such as The Greene and Austin Landing have remained open during the pandemic. Many of their restaurants have offered pickup and delivery, and some communications-related tenants remained open throughout the last seven weeks. Restaurants serving carryout and communications stores were deemed “essential businesses” in the state’s shutdown orders.

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