A handful of malls were still open in the Twin Cities on Friday, but employees outnumbered shoppers in the two biggest of them — Rosedale and Ridgedale.
Throughout the region and country, major retail chains shut down over the last two weeks to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Earlier this week, the Mall of America, Southdale, Galleria and two outlet malls closed.
But in addition to Rosedale and Ridgedale, Burnsville Center, Maplewood Mall, Northtown and Har Mar were still open Friday for shoppers of the handful of stores that were operating inside each of them.
Amanda Jacobsen, co-owner of Games 'N' Go for gamers in Rosedale, said she worked because she didn't want her employees to take a risk. "I would close if the mall would give us a clear answer on if our rent will be reduced," she said. "Without that, my business won't make it long."
At Ridgedale, David Ricks opened his store Sheer Treasures Health & Wellness just long enough to distribute online orders to customers.
"I'm 72. I shouldn't be around too many people," he said. "We're a health business, but the mall hasn't told us anything about closing."
Carol Spieckerman, founder of Spieckerman Retail, a market researcher, said, "Staying open creates an opportunity for small retailers on shaky ground to be there for the health and well-being of customers."
Sandy Stein, founder of Retail Speak on LinkedIn, said malls can't afford to close but face little choice. "Within two days I think nearly all malls be closed or they risk looking bad because they're putting people in harm's way," Stein said.
