Belk stores detail plans to reopen in NC as state eases coronavirus restrictions
Belk announced on Thursday that it plans to reopen more of its department stores, including in North Carolina, as states begin rolling back restrictions amid the novel coronavirus crisis.
Gov. Roy Cooper is relaxing the state stay-at-home order in phases with the first phase beginning Friday at 5 p.m. as all retail stores can open following social distancing guidelines. Retail stores in this first phase are allowed to operate at 50% capacity, with cleaning and social distancing.
The Charlotte-based department store chain temporarily closed all 291 stores in 16 states in March because of he COVID-19 pandemic, furloughed employees and reduced senior employee staff pay by 50%.
The 64 North Carolina stores will open on Monday. Stores in Florida, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi are set to reopen Friday, according to a company press release.
Belk has 12 locations in the Charlotte area including at SouthPark, Northlake and Carolina Place malls, as well as Monroe Crossing Mall, Carolina Mall in Concord and Eastridge Mall in Gastonia. There are 14 stores in the Raleigh region.
Simon Property Group laid out plans to reopen SouthPark and Concord Mills malls and Charlotte Premium Outlets on Saturday. Northlake and Carolina Place malls have not responded for comment.
Belk reopened stores last week in South Carolina, including at Galleria Mall in Rock Hill, as well as in Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
“As we reopen our doors ... we’re implementing recommended precautions to help provide a safe shopping environment,” Belk CEO Lisa Harper said.
Safety steps
Some of the precautionary steps Belk stores are taking include limiting the number of shoppers, keeping fitting rooms closed and reducing hours from noon to 6 p.m.
In addition to reopening stores, Belk will continue to offer contactless curbside pickup at most locations, according to the company. Same-day pickup is free and available within two hours on orders placed by 1 p.m.
Belk has about 22,000 employees, including around 20,000 working in stores.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Belk stores detail plans to reopen in NC as state eases coronavirus restrictions."