KC-area malls are reopening after COVID-19 shutdown. Here’s what you need to know

Two months after area malls shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they are starting to reopen.

Look for signs reminding customers to practice social distancing, employees in masks, closed drinking fountains and play areas, and hand sanitizing stations throughout. At least one mall plans to have customers move along in one direction and has set aside specific hours for mall walkers. Events are canceled until further notice.

And they emphasize — customers should stay home if they are not feeling well.

▪ Country Club Plaza. Some retailers will start reopening their shops — and restaurants their dining rooms — on Friday.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Individual tenant hours may vary.

Employees will clean and disinfect the Plaza throughout the day and after-hours, focusing on high-touch and high-traffic areas. It is encouraging customers and employees to wear masks. Signs will promote social distancing.

▪ Independence Center, Independence. Opens Friday. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Individual store hours may vary. For example, Macy’s doesn’t plan to open until Monday, and Maurices women’s clothing will wait until May 22.

It is encouraging employees and visitors over the age of 2 years old to wear face masks. Hand sanitizers will be stationed throughout the center and its cleaning staff will clean high-touch points hourly. Food court tables have been spaced out, as well as benches and other seating in the mall. It will ask customers to move in one direction — counter-clockwise — through the center, and arrows will point the way. Most stores will only allow 25 percent of their maximum capacity at a time. Stores over 10,000 square feet will allow 10 percent of their capacity.

It will be open for mall walking starting Monday and will have designated hours: 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday.

The play area is closed under further notice.

▪ Legends Outlets Kansas City, Kansas City, Kansas. It has not announced an opening date.

During the stay-at-home order it focused on deep sanitization throughout the center, and sandblasting and repainting benches, stairwells, poles and railings, as well as improvements such as new LED lights in the parking garage.

Moving forward, it is installing no-touch systems on all restroom doors. Levels two and three of the parking garage will be closed, as well the escalators and elevators. Drinking fountains will be shut down. Hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the center. Masks and gloves will be provided to employees. Customers will be able to pick up free disposable masks and sanitizer wipes, as well as get their temperature checked.

Decals and signage will remind people of social distance recommendations.

▪ Oak Park Mall, Overland Park. Plans to reopen at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Hours will then be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.

It will be encouraging customers to follow social distancing guidelines. No more than 10 people will be able to congregate in the mall common area. The food court tables and chairs were removed before the shutdown. The children’s play area will still be closed. Drinking fountains will be off.

Management and staff will wear masks in public spaces, as will vendors and contractors. Mall management, security and janitorial employees will have their temperatures checked at the start of each shift.

High-touch areas will be cleaned frequently. Hand sanitizers will be provided throughout the shopping center.

▪ Town Center Plaza, Town Center Crossing, Leawood. Opened Monday. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Opening dates and operating hours for tenants may vary.

It has expanded its Code of Conduct to include COVID-19 provisions, such as 6-foot social distancing, and is recommending customers have a face covering.

Donations to The Great Plains SPCA pet supply donation drive can be dropped off outside of Treats Unleashed, Town Center Crossing, 4209 W. 119th St., Leawood, as well as some other locations.

▪ Ward Parkway Center, south Kansas City. Large scale reopening planned for Monday.

Some businesses such as Target, Trader Joe’s and PetSmart are considered essential and have remained open. Other businesses started to reopen May 6, including Starbucks, while some, such as Off Broadway Shoes and Ulta, are open for curbside pickup only. Most of its restaurants are open for to-go.

Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Individual tenant hours may vary.

It has signs to remind people of social distancing, and has hand sanitizing stations throughout the mall. Seating is limited, and play areas and drinking fountains are closed. Workers will regularly clean high-touch areas, including escalators and door handles. The common areas will be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected nightly.

▪ Zona Rosa, Northland. Plans to open Friday. Some stores such as CVS are open, but some retailers are open for just curbside or by appointment only. Several restaurants are open for to-go orders.

Dillard’s is now open.

It stepped-up cleaning of high-touch areas such as door knobs, railings and elevator buttons. Hand sanitizers will be available throughout the center. Signage will remind customers to practice social distancing, to wash hands and to wear a mask, and to stay home if they aren’t feeling well.

The children’s play area, vending machines, seating areas, customer service and public restrooms are closed until further notice.

This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 4:04 PM.