By Emily Ketterer | Daily Journal
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INDIANAPOLIS — Several Indiana malls are set to reopen starting Monday, but local officials are worried it may be too soon.
Simon Property Group, the nation’s largest mall owner, announced Thursday on its website it planned to open about 80 malls across the country in the coming days and weeks, including 10 malls in Indiana.
The Greenwood Park Mall and Indiana Premium Outlets in Edinburgh will reopen Monday.
Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday the state will ease stay-at-home restrictions starting Monday, allowing retail businesses, including malls, to open at a 50% capacity.
Greenwood Park Mall’s Monday reopening date concerns Greenwood Mayor Mark Myers, but he trusts the governor’s judgement he said.
“It still scares me. I think it’s kind of early to open, and I’m concerned about it because too many people are going to try to get out,” Myers said.
JT Doane, Edinburgh’s town manager, shared similar sentiments about the outlet mall reopening, but he too supports Holcomb’s decision to begin returning to normal, he said following the governor’s announcement.
“This is not something that we’re going to just flip a switch and resume all of our activities and daily plans,” Doane said. “I trust if we all follow the protocols and the mandates, then we will gradually get back to this new normal.”
For more on this story, see Saturday’s Republic.
