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N.J. Mega-Mall Is Delaying Its Grand Opening Due to Coronavirus

N.J. Mega-Mall Is Delaying Its Grand Opening Due to Coronavirus

(Bloomberg) -- American Dream -- the New Jersey mega-mall that was slated to open its stores and a huge water park on Thursday -- will postpone its grand opening, another setback for the $5 billion project.

Some entertainment elements at the mall, such as the indoor ski slope and ice rink, that had opened late last year will close starting Monday until the end of March.

While there were no reported cases of coronavirus at American Dream, Co-Chief Executive Officers Don and Mark Ghermezian of its developer, Triple Five Group, said in a statement that after reviewing public heath agencies’ guidelines, they made the decision to close the mall “to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

Earlier this week, the mall had still planned to open the second part of its 3-million-square-foot complex. A spokesperson for American Dream had said it had added more hand-sanitizing stations and was displaying educational messages for people. Employees were being encouraged to stay home if they were ill, cover their mouths when they coughed and wipe down work areas frequently.

Other malls risk closings as coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life in the U.S. and more cities and states implement “social distancing” policies, Cowen & Co. retail analyst Oliver Chen said in a note.

Even if malls don’t shut down completely, he said, foot traffic could fall 10% or more.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jordyn Holman in New York at jholman19@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Crayton Harrison at tharrison5@bloomberg.net, Anne Cronin, Matthew Boyle

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.