Westfield Mall in Palm Desert reopens

There was a big turnout for the mall's first day of reopening. Many shoppers wanted to be here right when doors opened up. 

Just minutes before the reopening, shoppers were excited to finally be back to the swing of things.

"Absolutely stoked I feel like a human again, " said Ryan Driscoll."I can walk around, shop."

"Really happy it just nice to be able to able to go and do something about being home for ten weeks," said Brooke Blumenthal

These shoppers say they are happy to return to the shopping experience outside of big box stores and online.

"This is strange being out in public, its our first venture out like alot of people but I have been online trying to get stuff and I will not willing to pay the shipping charge so I figured i could run in and get what I need and then run out," said Renee Griffin

Some came to support the smaller shops.

"Its nice for cause there is a lot of smaller businesses inside the mall too so its nice that are getting to up open back up and they are just kinda of relying on themselves," Brooke Blumenthal.

One shopper couldn't wait to shop at her favorite store again.

"Buckle...I love buckle," said Hailey Fifer.

But not every store was open. For a full list of open stores. Click Here.

"Came to Macy's to do some shopping but its closed. I mean OMG it's closed," said Sarah Merabet.

Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill opening up their dine-in service too.

"Its exciting," said John Bertram, Owner of Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill. "I a little bit of nervous excitement with staff and everybody. It's like a first day of school again and in some ways starting all over and alot of new practices and things we are having to do."

The public information officer at the mall told News Channel 3 that its up to each store to when they will reopen and if masks are required or not.

And the mall will be monitoring how much foot traffic comes in by checking their traffic counters that are placed at each entrance. 

Hand sanitizer stations are available and deep cleaning is scheduled nightly. The play area is also closed.

"I thinks its time, its been two months and its time to get out and start doing stuff again," Sean Sullins.

"It felt like Disneyland," said Hailey Fifer.

The Westfield Mall in Palm Desert reopened on Friday, May 29, with modified hours.

The mall's new hours will be: 

• Monday through Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Sunday: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Mall officials also said government-mandated health and safety protocols will be implemented around the mall. There will also be new services and amenities addressing customer concerns during this initial recovery phase in the community.

“Westfield is excited to open our doors again to the desert community as we begin our initial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Franchesca Forrer, Marketing Director. “We are working closely with local officials and other relevant community groups to ensure a healthy, clean and safe environment for our customers, tenants and employees; and are committed to providing the best experience possible as business begins to operate at the center.”