Cherry Hill Mall To Reopen June 29

CHERRY HILL, NJ — The Cherry Hill Mall will reopen next Monday, the mall’s owners announced. It will be open Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

“On June 29, PREIT will celebrate the opening of all suburban mall properties with Fashion District opening on July 3,” mall owner Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said in a statement Monday morning. “Traffic and data for its open properties support a strong return for its retail and experiential tenants. Today 73 percent of its portfolio is open and operating.”

In opening its malls, PREIT intends said it will create a safe environment for its customers. Upon entering the Cherry Hill Mall, customers will receive a complimentary mask. The mall will also follow all government and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operating measures.

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“PREIT is particularly pleased that upon reopening, their properties will provide employment for over 30,000 employees while contributing over $60,000,000 annually of real estate tax revenue in their communities in addition to millions of dollars in sales tax revenue,” the company said. “As a key economic engine these funds will support critical municipal services, schools and communities.”

The mall, which has been closed since March due to Gov. Phil Murphy's executive order closing indoor shopping malls to stop the spread of the coronavirus, will retain its contactless pickup services. For anyone who is looking for a job, PREIT has established a job portal to collect contact information from interested candidates.

“We are extremely encouraged by the results from recent openings and thrilled to be on the path toward full re-opening,” PREIT CEO Joseph F. Coradino said. “As we anticipated, beginning in 2012 when we began to realign our portfolio to focus on our best properties, we are now positioned for the evolving retail landscape in which these assets thrive. We are proud to have led this trend by creating strong retail ecosystems with a mix of uses that maximize occupancy and traffic.”

Before reopening, the Cherry Hill Mall will be cleaned, sanitized, have their water systems flushed and the fresh air will be increased in HVAC systems. After opening, the mall will undergo stringent cleaning and sanitizing procedures, especially in “high touch areas,” PREIT said.

“Contracted housekeeping, maintenance and security staff will follow CDC and state health guidelines and require the use of masks and gloves when working at all properties,” PREIT said. “PREIT will make available masks for all customers and will provide safety recommendations for shoppers and tenants.”

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The mall is implementing the following measures:

• We are limiting the number of shoppers in accordance with government restrictions and limiting access to one entrance, as needed.
• Customer entry and exit will be separated and structured to facilitate social distancing and to monitor occupancy levels where required by governmental regulation.
• We are implementing a temporary parental escort policy.
• We have stationed several hand sanitizing locations throughout the property.
• Each facility has been thoroughly cleaned during our downtime and leading up to opening utilizing CDC-recommended disinfecting agents.
• Air quality inside our properties is being tested by an industrial hygienist prior to opening to confirm indoor air quality is equal to, or better than, outdoor air. We have also increased the proportion of outside airflow to Common Area.
• HVAC air filters have been replaced, water heaters have been purged and water lines have been flushed.
• Common area seating is being removed or dramatically limited.
• Food court seating has been eliminated at mall locations where this is required by governmental regulation. Where permitted, food court seating has been reduced and reconfigured to promote social distancing.
• Floor decals have been placed as a visual representation of social distancing in food courts and other common area queuing locations.
• In order to enforce the CDC’s social distancing recommendations, our play areas are closed.
• Our housekeeping partners are enhancing our cleaning and disinfecting protocols, utilizing CDC-recommended disinfectant, PH7Q. Door handles and other high-touch surfaces will be disinfected frequently.
• Restroom use is limited and structured to facilitate social distancing to every other sink.
• Elevators are being limited to 4-occupants and customers are being advised to utilize social distancing on escalators.
• All mall personnel including security and maintenance personnel are required to wear masks or face coverings and gloves and are either self-reporting or having temperature screenings daily.

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know