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ST. CLAIRSVILLE - The Ohio Valley Mall will reopen its doors to the public today after more than two months of being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Joe Bell, spokesman for the Cafaro Co., the mall's parent company, said the mall will resume normal operating hours today in accordance with the state's safe opening protocols. The mall closed on March 13 when Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the closure of all non-essential business amid the pandemic.
Many of the retailers will be opening on various days throughout the next week or so. Bell said the reopening will begin slowly with not all retailers opening back up on the first day.
"Things are going to roll out probably slowly. In the experience of other malls around the country, it's going to start with not every one of the retailers opening right away," he said.
Some of the retailers may need additional time to restock inventory,fill staff positions or continue cleaning, he said.
"For whatever reason, they're not all opening at the same time. What we have seen is as the days pass by, more and more of them (retailers) do open," he said.
The mall and its retailers have taken extra precautions and implemented safeguards to ensure the safety of its employees and customers including extra cleaning, barriers to encourage social distancing and employees will don face coverings in accordance with state and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Some retailers will also offer curbside pickup.
Bell said he was unsure as to which retailers would choose to open today.
He recommends customers call ahead to ensure an individual store is open.
The mall will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.