Louis Joliet Mall Bucks Trend, Stays Open During Coronavirus

JOLIET, IL — This week, malls in Orland Park, Aurora, Schaumburg, Springfield and Gurnee were shuttered by the Simon Property Group in response to the new coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, in Joliet, it's business as usual at the Louis Joliet Mall, aside from a minor reduction in hours.

However, some of the Joliet mall's biggest tenants are making their own business decisions and choosing to shut down on a temporary basis.

"All of our theatres will be temporarily closed as of Wednesday, March 18,in order to ensure the health & safety of our guests and employees," Cinnemark announced on social media.

And on Tuesday, Macy's announced it was closing all stores, including its 21 locations in Illinois, in response to the growing coronavirus crisis. The Macy's closings will remain in effect until March 31. And JCPenney posted information on its company website that "our stores are temporarily closed due to COVID-19."

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Meanwhile, the property owners of the Louis Joliet Mall are still hoping to attract thousands of visitors to its mall near Interstate 55 and Plainfield Road on a daily basis.

This week's newly adjusted hours of operation are: noon to 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Louis Joliet Mall includes: Macy's, JCPenney, Bath & Body Works, Pandora, Victoria's Secret, Aeropostale, Maurices, Foot Locker, American Eagle Outfitters, Justice, H&M, Express, The Finish Line and its 14-screen Cinemark theater featuring luxury lounge seating.

Restaurants include Cajun Boil & Bar, Friday's, Panera Bread to Panda Express and Taco Bell, among others.

"While mass gatherings have been canceled, spaces, where people are constantly moving such as airports, shopping malls and centers, grocery stores or similar spaces, remain open per public guidelines," the Louis Joliet Mall's marketing director posted on social media.

The Louis Joliet Mall urges patrons to check with individual stores, restaurants, and any exterior-facing tenants because they may have varying hours.

"Thank you for your support and understanding as we move through these unprecedented times together," the mall's marketing staff stated.

Related:

• Coronavirus In Illinois: March 19 Update
• Will County Has 8 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases
• Illinois Coronavirus 'Will Get Worse Before Its Gets Better'
• Coronavirus: Joliet Area Hospitals Lack Beds To Handle Expected Cases
• More Than 100 Monitored After Exposure To Coronavirus Patients