Back to business
Galleria Dallas will reopen May 4 minus one popular attraction
After six weeks without lights on, Galleria Dallas will reopen to shoppers Monday, May 4, with a new rule: face masks. But figure skaters will have to sit this one out, as the ice rink will remain closed temporarily.
The popular North Dallas shopping center — which shut down March 19 amid coronavirus concerns — is the first Dallas-area shopping center to announce its plans to resume business.
Retail stores and shopping malls are allowed to open their doors again with 25 percent occupancy on May 1, according to Gov. Greg Abbott's plan to reopen the state for business.
Galleria officials are waiting a few days longer to take additional steps beyond the governor's orders and CDC guidelines, they say, including bringing in an industrial hygienist to conduct a post-disinfection assessment of the entire building.
“We hold the health and safety of our retail employees and all guests as our top priority,” says Galleria Dallas general manager Angie Freed in the release. “While we are excited to resume business in our center, we were not willing to rush to open unless we could focus on what was best for our guests, our retailers, and our building.”
The shopping center had pivoted to a retail to-go operation starting April 24, before the governor announced his new decree on April 27. Galleria stores participating in retail-to-go may continue to participate with a designated pickup area through the Westin driveway.
When the mall resumes operating hours on May 4, each retailer will have the choice to reopen at their discretion.
Operating hours will be limited to 11 am-7 pm Monday through Saturday and 12-6 pm Sunday. Shoppers should expect some additional standards, including:
- All visitors to the shopping center and employees must wear face masks.
- Food Place seating will be temporarily removed. Food Place items must be taken to-go.
- The Children’s Play Place will be temporarily closed.
- To limit contact, Galleria Dallas Concierge+ services, such as curbside delivery and package check, will not be offered.
- Enhanced cleaning practices will be employed.
- Common area seating will be removed or spaced for social distancing.
- Signs throughout the building will remind guests of social distancing.
"Galleria Dallas will work with each retailer to ensure that they follow state and federal government standards for retail operations," they say in the release. "Recommended policies include the education of all employees on CDC COVID-19 policies, strict rules on employee health and reporting, and additional hygiene precautions. The center feels that it is important that retailers be prepared to meet rigorous standards for the safety of guests and employees."
