A growing number of stores at Christiana Mall are now open after a delay in the planned June 1 opening.
The mall did open at mid-week after pubic safety reasons were cited in a decision to delay opening enclosed areas at the mall. Looting and vandalism were reported in downtown Wilmington the previous weekend. Subsequent protests have been peaceful.
The mall was busy on Saturday but did not see the traffic backups that can come at back to school and holiday weekends.
Click here or check out the map below for open stores
The destination mall opens with shortened hours and restrictions on occupancy. This weekend, occupancy will be limited to 30 percent of capacity but will increase to 60 percent on June 15 under the governor’s Stage 2 reopenings. Food court businesses are listed as open.
This weekend will be the first test for the mall in seeing activity from weekend shoppers. Nearby states still have stiffer restrictions on store and restaurant openings. The state’s other large shopping centers, Dover Mall and Tanger Outlets are now open. Tanger closed a couple of times, due to protest activity in the area.
Traffic in the area will grow at the nearby Christiana Fashion Center. Stores in the center have opened under Phase 1.
Two drawing cards for the mall, The Apple Store and J.C Penney remain closed. Penney is going through Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and announced 154 store closings. None of the stores were in Delaware or the Delaware Valley.
Not reopening is the J.B. Dawson’s casual restaurant, which cited an expiring lease and COVID-19 in its decision. The neighboring Brio Italian restaurant has reopened, after its corporate parent filed under Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
