WAUWATOSA, Wis. — Mayfair Mall reopened Wednesday with limited businesses and new safety precautions.
Cars filled the parking lot as shoppers, some wearing face masks, came out.
Throughout the mall, you will notice new signs encouraging social distancing, hand sanitizing stations, and designated entrances and exits to try and control the flow of traffic.
Security will enforce social distancing and have face masks if shoppers want one.
Peter Fox, the owner of Fox's, said it all feels exciting and cautiously optimistic.
Shoppers will also notice changes at the clothing store.
Fox's is one of more than 30 businesses that opened Wednesday.
One change is clothing that people try on will be kept separate and not returned to the floor until it is deemed safe.
"We’ve eliminated several amounts of racks so there would be more room for people as they walk through. We’ve increased the cleanliness," said Fox.
Not all businesses are open just yet. Roughly 80 percent of the mall’s tenants are not yet welcoming customers inside. Many of those stores had signs pointing to a later opening date.
Wisconsin Curated Creations plans to reopen June 1. One of the owners, Bruce Riley, said they are still working to get the place ready for customers and social distancing. Entrepreneurs also need to restock their shelves since the store closed two months ago.
"When the customers come in we want to make sure they feel safe and comfortable as well about being in our space," said Riley.
Restaurants are limited to carry out and delivery service.
"It definitely is helping us to get at least some customers in and get some revenue going," said Nikki Shelton who owns Nikavonni's.
"It’s a little nervous getting back out here but we’re trying to stick with it with our customers making sure everyone is wearing masks and keeping their distance."
Nikavonni's is one of the stores testing the waters to see what works.
"Healthcare is our main concern because we are a medical practice, we’re not just dispensing eyewear," said Bart Helmbreck, Manager and Optician at Dean and Fletcher World Class Opticians.
Dean and Fletcher World Class Opticians will screen patients for any symptoms when they arrive and step up their cleaning.
"All the instruments are disinfected in between every patient, every frame when it comes off the frame board we disinfect it before it goes back," said Helmbreck.
He added that business will provide concierge service to any elderly and at-risk patients that need eyeglasses.
Mayfair Mall says to expect the rest of its stores to open on a rolling basis over the coming weeks. A spokesperson added it is up to each tenant to decide when to reopen.