Bradenton area retail stores announce plans to partially reopen after governor’s order
Retail companies in the Bradenton area were making plans Thursday to reopen next week, following the announcement by Gov. Ron DeSantis that he is partially lifting stay-at-home orders, starting Monday.
The partial reopening order would allow retail stores, museums and libraries to open at 25 percent indoor capacity.
Among those making plans to reopen is the Mall at University Town Center, Bealls and Ellenton Premium Outlets, although they were cautious in announcing timetables.
“We are finalizing plans now and confirming with Sarasota County government that it doesn’t have any local ordinances that differ from the governor,” a spokeswoman for the Mall at UTC said in an email.
The Mall at UTC is currently closed through May 3. Exterior restaurant/store hours may vary, according to https://www.mallatutc.com/.
Taubman Centers Inc. announced on March 19 that it was temporarily closing the Mall at UTC and its shopping centers in nine other states in response to COVID-19.
The announcement came a day after Ellenton Premium Outlets announced that it was closing because of COVID-19.
“Thanks for reaching out. Simon’s website has the most up-to-date information for Ellenton Premium Outlets and will be continually updated to reflect changes. We will be in touch with additional information,” a spokeswoman for the mall company said in an email on Thursday.
The Simons’ website Thursday was not showing any openings for Florida properties, but did show malls opening May 1 in Texas, Tennessee, Alaska, Georgia, Mississippi, Ohio and South Carolina.
Other properties were opening May 2 in Indiana and on May 4 in Missouri.
Daniel J. Doyle, chief human resource officer at Bradenton’s largest employer, Bealls, said his company is planning to reopen stores Monday, with reduced hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., pursuant to the governor’s order.
“We appreciate the governor taking a cautioned approach to reopening Florida retail businesses and we are reopening our stores pursuant to his order with our top priority being the safety of our associates and guests,” Doyle said in an email.
Efforts to reach DeSoto Square mall officials for reopening plans there were unsuccessful.
Smaller businesses, like Johnson PhotoImaging, 6709 State Road 70 E., were also planning to reopen on Monday.
The camera store, photo lab, and photo education center has been closed since April 1, being deemed a nonessential business.
“We want to safely get back into business. We have made numerous changes,” said Michael Arbor, vice president. “We are excited to be reopening. There is a limit to how much cabin fever anyone can endure.”
The products that Johnson PhotoImaging provides are important to its clients who enjoy the outdoors and wildlife photography.
That contribution to mental health actually makes the camera store an essential business, Arbor said.
Joe Harris, owner of Papa Joe’s Sports Bar, 1242 Whitfield Ave., said he won’t be able to reopen his bar for another few weeks, according to guidance from DeSantis this week.
However, Harris does have his package store open, and is able to continue providing employment to several of his staff.
“We will get through this, but it is putting a strain on everyone,” Harris said, adding that Hurricane Irma in 2017 took the roof off the shopping center and it was a year before he could reopen his business.
A popular bakery in the same shopping center, Gold Star Donut Shop, still has not reopened.
“I am pulling every weed out of the yard that I can,” Harris said of his efforts to stay in business.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 1:38 PM.
