Pueblo Mall shows signs of life; Dillard’s, JCPenney set to open
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Since March, the Pueblo Mall has been all but completely shutdown due to COVID-19. However, on Tuesday, customers could be seen coming in out of Dillard's. JCPenney is expected to follow suit Wednesday.
The Pueblo Mall, and a vast majority of the businesses inside, is still closed. However, shoppers on Tuesday expressed relief to see the mall sort of come back to life.
“I’ve been waiting for them to open; I don’t like to shop online," said Jenna Johnson, who was one of the first people to enter Dillard's Tuesday morning. “I definitely have been feeling like things are getting back to normal. I don’t think of COVID-19 as much now.”
However, not everything is totally back to normal.
Signs on the doors of Dillard's ask shoppers to continue to follow social distancing guidelines, including standing six feet away from other shoppers.
Masks are required for staff but they're not for customers. Staff at Dillard's tell KRDO the store was about 50% staffed on Tuesday.
According to Pueblo mall management, Dillard's, and any other retail stores that open, must remain under 50% capacity level.
But why can't the rest of the mall open if Dillard's and JCPenney can?
“They have exterior entrances," said Pueblo Mall General Manager Tim Schweitzer. "And as long as they have their exterior entrances and practice social distancing they are allowed to open.”
Schweitzer says it’s unclear when the mall will be totally back to normal, but this is a good step.
“It’s going in tiers slowly but surely," said Schweitzer. "It’s very positive for us to start getting open with Dillard’s and JCPenney's opening. That’s great for the public. They can get out and do a little shopping and still practice their social distancing which is very important.”
Dillard’s and JCPenney will both open Wednesday at 11 a.m. As will the store ‘Boot Barn,’ which has been open for the past three weeks and is considered essential.
All the stores on the inside of the mall will remain closed. However, there is still curb side pickup if you order online.
