As NC prepares to reopen in phases, here’s how life in Charlotte will change
As Gov. Roy Cooper’s plan to lift the stay-at-home order in three phases could begin late next week, business owners and community organizations in the Charlotte area are planning for what comes next.
Here’s what life in Charlotte could look like: waiters in face masks, limits to how many people can shop in department stores, free admission to some museums and gyms that require reservations.
For now, North Carolina’s stay-at-home order expires May 8, although it could be extended if the trajectory of new coronavirus cases isn’t where state officials would like.
Phase one includes reopening parks and allowing non-essential travel to retail sites like clothing and sporting goods stores, and book and houseware shops. Those businesses must implement social distancing, cleaning protocols and screen employees for symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus.
Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned, and people are encouraged to wear face coverings. Employers also are encouraged to continue teleworking.
At least two to three weeks later, phase two will begin by lifting the stay at home order but encouraging at-risk groups to remain home. With limited capacity, restaurants, bars, gyms, personal care services, houses of worship and entertainment venues can open.
Phase three could be implemented four to six weeks later. Businesses, worship services and venues will be allowed to increase capacity. Vulnerable groups will be encouraged to continue social distancing, and restrictions will continue at nursing homes and other care settings.
For now, here’s how the reopening plan could affect work, leisure and life in Charlotte:
Retail stores
Under the first phase of re-opening customers can shop for more than just essentials like groceries.
Ole Mason Jar men’s clothing line and store moved from uptown to South End and expected to hold a grand opening in late March just as stay-at-home orders went in effect. Instead owner Bradley Rhyne had to furlough his staff of six.
“If we open too soon it may not translate into business going back to normal,” he said.
When OMJ reopens, it will be by private appointment only and will follow recommendations such as wearing face coverings and gloves for employees.
“We know it’s going to be a slower roll-out,” he said. “It puts a strain on us but as long as we can get back and open by July, I’m going to stay positive. We have to survive. Giving up is not an option.”
While Charlotte-based Belk department store does not yet have plans for North Carolina it laid out how it was reopening stores in South Carolina and Arkansas on May 1. That provides a look at what Belk might do in North Carolina.
Hours will be limited from noon to 6 p.m., and the number of customers in stores will be restricted to ensure social distancing, according to a company statement. Contactless curbside pickup also is available at some stores and will be extended to shops that open, including the Rock Hill one at Galleria Mall.
Verizon stores are making several changes, said company spokesman David Weissmann.
Customers will be able to make appointments online, workers will wear gloves and masks, safety partitions have been installed at registers and there will be hand sanitizer stations. Social distancing measures include outside markers, rearranging furniture in stores and reducing inventory on the floor.
The store also will use new technology that lets a customer scan and pay for an item without a worker touching the product.
Macy’s also detailed how it will reopen its stores, according to a business update presented Thursday and first reported by the New York Times. Macy’s has stores in Northlake and Southpark malls.
According to the presentation on the company website, workers will undergo wellness checks before shifts and get masks to wear at all times. Employees at registers will wear gloves.
Social distancing measures will include Plexiglas at counters and signage to stay 6 feet apart. Perfume samples will be handed out on cards and single-use disposable applicators for beauty products will be available only from employees.
All customers must use hand sanitizer before trying on jewelry or watches. And all spa-like services have been suspended, along with alterations, fittings and ear piercings.
Malls
Simon Property Group, the largest mall operator in the U.S. with three Charlotte locations — SouthPark Mall, Concord Mills and Charlotte Premium Outlets — announced on its website it would reopen those malls May 8, “based on current state and/or local stay-at-home or closure orders which are subject to change.”
Simon’s plans for reopening its malls were first reported by by CNBC.
The mall operator detailed numerous safety precautions its properties would have, including: workers will be required to wear masks and take hand-washing breaks; properties will limit entrances, hours and the number of people in the buildings; malls will add floor signage to direct foot traffic, remove chairs in dining areas and tape every other sink in the bathroom; and drinking fountains and play areas will be closed.
Each night, the common area of the property will be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected, and Simon encourages each retailer to do the same for their store.
And all shoppers will be encouraged to wear masks or facial coverings while shopping, and to to frequently wash or sanitize their hands while shopping.
Northlake Mall said it will share details after the stay-at-home mandate is lifted. Carolina Place Mall did not respond to emails for comment.
Restaurants
Your dining experience will look different, at least for awhile.
North Carolina’s extended stay-at-home order applies to dine-in service at restaurants, which were ordered to close and operate as take-out only March 17. The state’s plan outlines a gradual return to in-person dining, which will begin with reduced capacity during the second phase of re-opening.
Mital Naik, owner of Brazz Carvery & Brazilian Steakhouse in uptown Charlotte, offers delivery and curbside pickup services while in-person dining is halted. He’s ready to reopen and bring back his staff of eight.
He knows business will be slow, especially as people continue to work remotely.
“Maybe we’ll open with a skeleton crew of me, my wife and one other person just to get the doors open,” he said. “We may not offer our buffet because it’s difficult to maintain that for safety sharing utensils. That would be irresponsible.”
Bardo restaurant managing partner Jayson Whiteside said limiting the number of customers also will
dictate how many staff he’ll bring back at first at his South End restaurant.
Workers likely will be encouraged to wear masks and gloves. Whiteside said a couple of new offerings rolled out during the crisis likely will remain: virtual cocktail class and the sale of cocktail kits.
“Our main focus will go back to in-house dining but the cocktail kits may be a whole new opportunity for us,” he said. “We realize how fragile this industry is and you can’t take for granted things will be the same.”
RoCo Holdings includes The Roasting Company at Montford Park, Plaza Midwood and Rock Hill, Eddie’s Place and Providence Road Sundries.
When dining rooms reopen, RoCo Holdings managing partner Doug Bell said staff will wear face coverings and gloves. The restaurants also will do temperature checks on employees before shifts and have sanitizer stations available, if possible.
Breweries
Along with restaurants, breweries and bars can begin opening in phase two.
Wooden Robot Brewery is planning additional cleanings while encouraging workers and customers to wear face coverings at its two Charlotte locations, company spokesman Josh Patton said.
“We will be getting back to normal operations in phases, so a slow roll out with events and food trucks,” Patton said.
Gyms
Fitness centers will also reopen in the second phase.
At Anytime Fitness, the decision to reopen will be made on a case-by-case basis by each owner, the company said. There are more than a dozen Anytime Fitness gyms in the Charlotte region.
Anytime Fitness has provided sanitation and safety protocols to club owners, including social distancing practices with signs and floor markers, and online scheduling for members to reserve times due to capacity caps.
Movie theaters
Movie theaters rely on more than just customers. Major studios, according to The New York Times, have postponed planned releases of major movies in May and June like “Black Widow” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” leaving multiplexes with nothing to show.
That’s one reason Cinemark, with two Charlotte-area locations, is working on a mid-summer opening nationwide, according to the company.
Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi said in mid-April that the theaters reopening is contingent upon health and safety regulations as well as studio content availability, a spokeswoman said. The first release scheduled is Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” on July 17, Texas-based Cinemark said in a statement.
Cinemark expects to open under reduce operating hours and with social distancing steps, the company statement said.
Studio Movie Grill, also based in Texas, has one Charlotte location in the University area. The theater combines first-run films with full-service dining. The company said it will increase cleaning and distancing protocols and enact contactless payment technology through its app to order food and drinks.
Barbershops
Personal care services also could begin opening the end of May or early June in phase two.
Universal Cuts owner Sean Richardson is looking at this time as a “new beginning” for his nearly 15-year-old barbershop in north Charlotte.
“It’s a gift and a curse,” he said. “Everybody’s not going to be able to bounce back from this.”
He’s hiring five barbers now and expects to offer more services, plus raise prices due to the safety measures associated with COVID-19.
Customers and workers will be required to wear masks, and barbers will wear gloves during cuts. To maintain social distancing, services will be by appointment only and the number of people inside the shop will be limited.
Worship services
Mecklenburg County recently allowed churches to begin drive-thru or drive-in services, but communion is still not allowed. Under the state’s reopening plan, in-person group worship would not resume until the second phase and would be required to hold services with reduced capacity.
Churches have many safety considerations as they re-open, given previous physical proximity with handshakes or an embrace, said the Rev. Willie Keaton of Mt. Olive Presbyterian Church in west Charlotte.
He said churches are still figuring out how to gather congregations safely, whether that’s with hand sanitizer in the pews or more space between parishioners. “We have to rethink all of that,” he said.
Museums and arts groups
Representatives of Charlotte’s arts community plan to look to health officials about when and how they should resume venue openings and performances.
Deidre Roddin, spokeswoman for the Charlotte Symphony, said the symphony has already decided not to hold performances or events before the end of June. “We will take into account what will make our audience feel most safe and protected while enjoying our performances,” Roddin said in an email.
Mint Museum spokeswoman Caroline Portillo said her organization plans to offer free admission the first week both of its locations reopen to welcome back the public.
Museum officials also are looking into how the museum could be utilized while still practicing social distancing.
“How far apart should the works of art be from each other? Should the text panels be larger, so visitors don’t have to huddle to read then? These are all the sorts of questions we’re asking right now,” Portillo said. The Mint might continue virtual offerings made during the pandemic through social media and its website.
At the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, officials have a plan to reopen in phases, according to spokeswoman Hillary Hardwick.
Initially, the museum would be assessed for social-distancing, such as use of elevators, gallery space and check-in protocol. Interactive components of the museum, like keypads and audio guides, would be offline.
In a middle phase, the museum would avoid large-group gatherings and encourage visitors to practice social-distancing and wear protective masks. And in a final phase, the museum would return to full programs and rental events for large groups.
Sporting events
For Charlotte Knights chief operating officer Dan Rajkowski, the challenge is both taking cues from Major League Baseball and creating an atmosphere where fans feel safe once the state allows large gatherings.
Unlike the NFL Carolina Panthers and NBA Charlotte Hornets, minor-league baseball doesn’t have television as a revenue source. The Knights are the class-AAA affiliate of the Chicago White Sox.
“Our atmosphere is very social. With that, it creates even more of a challenge for us. We’re reliant on people being comfortable in a large arena,” Rajkowski said.
He and his staff has started studying how BB&T Ballpark, the Knights’ 10,200-seat uptown stadium, can be adapted to social-distancing when baseball resumes.
“Do we have definitive plans? No,” Rajkowski said. “It’s so fluid and (circumstance) moving so quickly.”
This story was originally published April 28, 2020 at 6:22 PM with the headline "As NC prepares to reopen in phases, here’s how life in Charlotte will change."
%20Cropped.jpg)