Palisades Center / Photo by Nightscream, Wikimedia Commons
Local malls reopen to the public following the coronavirus shutdown with new policies and procedures to keep shoppers safe.
Missing the mall, Hudson Valley?
Due to New York State’s shutdown of malls during the COVID-19 crisis, local shopping centers were all but off the grid for months while each region worked its way through all four phases of the state’s reopening plan. It wasn’t until Governor Cuomo’s announcement on July 8 that malls were finally given the go-ahead to reopen their doors beginning July 10. Prior to this update, only stores with standalone entrances were allowed to operate.
Even though Hudson Valley malls can technically reopen to the community, this allowance does come with a few sticking points. First, malls must have COVID-19 safety measures in place to ensure the safety of both customers and employees. Second, malls must have enhanced HVAC filtration systems to minimize the potential spread of the coronavirus within the contained space.
Curious about where your local mall stands? Here’s what to know before you indulge in a little retail therapy – the in-person kind, that is.
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Crossgates Mall
Albany
Open for business in the Capital Region, Crossgates Mall takes the health of its community very seriously. Masks are required for all visitors and employees, and everyone is asked to remain six feet apart as often as possible. Prior to every visit, all individuals should perform a self-health wellness check. Crossgates has enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures in place and uses CDC-recommended disinfectants to cleanse common areas, restrooms, and touch points. For anyone who prefers curbside pickup, the mall makes it easy with designated parking spaces at various entrances. Find the mall’s complete health and safety guidelines for shoppers here.
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Galleria at Crystal Run
Middletown
Just like Crossgates Mall to the north, Pyramid Management Group’s Galleria at Crystal Run aims to keep shoppers and employees safe by requiring the use of masks, social distancing, and self-health wellness checks. It uses CDC-recommended disinfectants and electrostatic sprayers to sanitize common areas, restrooms, and touch points, with hand sanitizer stations interspersed throughout the property for the community. Designated curbside pickup parking spots outside entrances are available for those who would prefer to remain outside the venue.
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Hudson Valley Mall
Kingston
Hudson Valley Mall reopened on July 10 in Kingston in accordance with the state’s public health policy. Because store hours and operations may vary, it recommends contacting individual locations in advance of a visit to confirm hours and updates. Find the full directory of shops, along with contact information for each, here.
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Newburgh Mall
Newburgh
Newburgh Mall maintains an up-to-date directory with notifications about which stores are opening and when. Call ahead to confirm individual store hours, since they may differ from the mall’s regular business hours. For visitors and employees, masks and social distancing are required.
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Palisades Center
West Nyack
Like Crossgates and Crystal Run, its fellow Pyramid malls, the Palisades Center requires masks, social distancing, and self-health wellness checks for all shoppers and employees. It has expanded its cleaning procedures to use CDC-recommended disinfectants and electrostatic sprayers to cleanse entry touch points, restrooms, rails, and common areas. Hand sanitizer stations are available throughout the venue, and designated curbside pickup parking spots are located outside multiple entrances. Read more about the mall’s safety plan here.
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Poughkeepsie Galleria
Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie’s main mall reopens its doors with the same safety protocol as its sister Pyramid shopping centers in Albany and West Nyack. All visitors and employees must wear masks, adhere to social distancing guidelines, and perform self-health wellness checks prior to arriving onsite. The mall uses CDC-recommended disinfectants to sanitize touch points, restrooms, and common areas, with electrostatic sprayers on hand for high-tech cleansing. Hand sanitizer stations can be found at digital directories, food court areas, elevators and escalators, and common areas. Any shoppers who would prefer to use curbside pickup can do so using the designated parking spaces outside various entrances.
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The Shops at Nanuet
Nanuet
Nanuet’s premier retail center keeps the local shopping scene alive and thriving during the regional reopening. Its online directory now includes a filter to see which stores offer curbside pickup, appointment-only shopping, delivery, takeout, or dine-in eating. Because the mall is open-air, social distancing is easy to do (but wear a mask, too!).
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Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
Central Valley
As one of the most highly trafficked shopping destinations in the Hudson Valley, Woodbury Common leaves nary a detail to chance when it comes to safety and social distancing. Signage is everywhere, one-way traffic is standard in many locations, play areas are closed, and plexiglass is in place. Snack machines and drinking fountains are closed for the time being, so guests should bring their own snacks or stop by one of the eateries onsite to dine. Occupancy limits are in place at a number of stores, and curbside pickup remains available at select locations. Find everything you need to know about a visit to Woodbury during the COVID-19 crisis here.
