Just as if it were the Early Bird Sale, hundreds of people arrived at Plaza Las Américas early today to buy on the first day of reopening after the 10-week closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
They arrived before check-in time to make the most of the four hours of shopping, despite the fact that the first shift will take place from 9:00 a.m. at 1:00 p.m. Many of those early customers were older adults who were going to run errands, meet an appointment, or just shop.
Lorraine Vissepó, communications director for Plaza Las Américas, reported that from 9:00 a.m. at 10:00 a.m. 912 customers were registered in the shopping center, for a total of over 1,600 people, counting employees.
The line was kilometric by the entrance of Banco Popular and although it passed in order, this newspaper perceived much confusion among consumers about what was the process to enter and once inside what their shopping experience would be like.
“Those of us who don’t have a reservation where we stand?” Asked an older adult.
Immediately, Questions rained down on the security guard of other people who were waiting in line without being sure that this was the right line.
“Look to go to the bank, is this the line?” Said a young man. “Where is the line to go to the medical tower?” Asked another lady.
The mall opened its doors at 8:52 a.m. and began to take the temperature of each visitor.
Claribel Merced from Toa Alta said she is at Plaza because JC Penney called her for a refund. “I come because JCPenney called me … for me I find this row unfair because there are handicapped people and they don’t give it priority,” he said, noting that he was not going to buy anything.
Another client said that she was going to pay but did not have a computer, so she expected to be let in as a “walk in”, without having made an appointment for the application that enabled the mall to control the entrance of people.
“I also want to buy some pants. I was crazy because they opened, “she said.
Meanwhile, another consumer complained that her appointment at the beauty salon was at 9:00 a.m. and I could lose it, since it was 9:05 a.m. and I was still back in line.
Currently only a third of the stores that operate in the mall are those that are open. Big chains like JC Penney and Macy’s remain closed.
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