HOUSTON – Houston-area malls are preparing for some of their retailers to reopen Friday, as stores statewide navigate “retail-to-go,” as outlined by Governor Greg Abbott in an executive order announced last week.
“We’re anxious for them to get back to full operation as soon as possible,” said Harry Hadland, Vice President of Property Management at Metro National Corporation, which owns Memorial City Mall.
Hadland said Memorial City was in the process of finalizing which stores plan to reopen Friday.
“We have a list that we’re working with now but we don’t have 100% confirmation yet,” he added.
Under the governor’s plan, retailers are allowed to reopen for curbside pickups. The move, outlined Friday in an executive order, maintains retailers and customers maintain social distancing suggestions.
Here is a look at some area malls and what their plans are:
Memorial City Mall
Memorial City Mall will have designated parking spaces on the north side of the mall for curbside pickup. Shoppers can place their order online, select "store pickup" and park in one of the spots.
Then, the shopper will have to contact the store to let employees know their parking spot number. An associate will bring the purchase to your back seat or trunk.
The mall will also have lockers available, though additional charges may apply.
Some stores will take orders over the phone and allow you to pick up at their front door. Check the mall’s website to see which stores will be open.
Baybrook Mall
- Approximately 23 tenants are expected to participate – 12 essential retailers are currently offering curbside service (restaurants, The Container Store, etc.), 11 to 15 are expected to join this group on Friday.
- Pick-ups will take place in front of Entrance 2 of the enclosed portion of the mall, between Macy’s and the former Sear’s location. For purchases made at the outdoor portion of the mall, pick-ups will take place closes to the retailer.
Deerbrook Mall
- Approximately 10 to 15 tenants are expected to participate.
- Pick-ups will take place in front of Entrance 2, located in the parking area under the AMC Theater and next to Dick’s Sporting Goods
First Colony Mall
- Approximately 15 to 20 tenants are expected to participate, including restaurants offering curbside service
- Pick-ups will take place outside of Entrance 2, between JCPenney and Dick’s Sporting Goods
Willowbrook Mall
- Approximately 10 to 15 tenants are expected to participate
- Pick-ups will take place at the mall food court entrance between Dillard’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods
The Woodlands Mall
- Approximately 30 retailers are expected to participate
- Pick-ups will take place at the north entrance of the mall between Nordstrom and JCPenney
In a statement to KPRC2, a spokesperson for Brookfield Properties that owns five malls in the Houston area said:
“Guests will park in the numbered spaces of the designated parking area and call the store, providing the space number they’re in, as well as the make and model of their vehicle. Employees of the store will bring the purchased items directly to the vehicle. There will be no need for the guest to get out of their vehicle,” wrote Rachel Wille, senior public relations and social media specialist.
KPRC2 will update the list as more area retailers release their plans.