LYNNWOOD —Alderwood mall will open its doors Tuesday after an 11-week shutdown.
At least 30 of the mall’s 160 retailers and restaurants are expected to reopen on Tuesday, Alderwood mall manager Gerald Irwin said.
“We are very excited to be opening tomorrow,” Irwin said in an email Monday. Alderwood will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The 1.3-million-square-foot mall has been closed since March 24 in accord with Gov. Jay Inslee’s statewide stay-home order that suspended non-essential business operations.
When the sprawling Lynnwood retail center welcomes shoppers on Tuesday, it will be the first regional mall in Snohomish and King counties to reopen since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the businesses to shutter.
Westfield Southcenter in South Seattle and Bellevue Square remain closed. Most of Seattle’s Northgate Mall has been closed since last fall for renovation.
Alderwood grabbed the spotlight last week after Lynnwood authorities claimed they had received credible threats that the mall was a target of looters.
Lynnwood police closed streets leading to the mall last week as a precaution. On Wednesday, police stood guard at mall entrances to prevent possible looting, which erupted nationwide in reaction to the death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minnesota.
On Friday, Snohomish County was given the green light to enter Phase 2 of the governor’s transition plan, which allows local businesses to open as long as they meet industry-specific health and safety guidelines.
Phase 2 allows retail stores and malls to operate at up to 30% capacity and restaurants at up 50% capacity.
About 25 stores and restaurants at Alderwood began offering curbside pick-up services late last month.
Now they’ll be able to welcome a limited number of customers. But new rules will govern.
It is recommended that shoppers wear masks, but not required. The mall will supply masks to those who request them, Irwin said.
Hand sanitizing stations will be scattered throughout. Mall restrooms have been reconfigured. Drinking fountains will be shut off.
Blue-and-white signs have been posted throughout Alderwood to remind customers to “shop with space.”
Half the seating in the Food Court has been removed, reducing capacity from 700 to 350, with tables spaced farther apart.
Janice Podsada; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3097; Twitter: JanicePods
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