Boscov’s department store at the Fairlane Village Mall outside Pottsville plans to reopen Saturday.
We haven’t been this excited about a store opening since the Phar-Mor opened at the former Schuylkill Mall years ago.
Boscov’s Reopening at Pottsville Fairlane Village Mall
Why are people so excited about Boscov’s opening on Saturday? It’s not a towel riot or a white sale. Nope.
It’s because the last time Boscov’s was open was mid-March. That’s when Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered all “non-essential” businesses to close their doors to customers as part of his ham-handed coronavirus pandemic response.
While Boscov’s has been closed, a store like Walmart has been allowed to sell the exact same things that this popular department store could have sold. Logic, unfortuately, wasn’t part of the Wolf’s plan.
But finally, on Saturday, a full day after Schuylkill County enters the Yellow phase of the governor’s reopening plan, Boscov’s will once again allow customers inside the store.
So, if someone asks you if you Boscoved today, you’ll finally be able to say, “Yes!”
Limited Hours
For the time being, Boscov’s is limiting its operating hours. And it’ll reserve some time for certain shoppers, too.
The new store hours will be:
- Monday-Friday: 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The store is dedicating shopping for “vulnerable” customers on Mondays, from 11 a.m. until noon. It’s asking others to respect this time on Mondays and wait to shop.
New Rules
Boscov’s will require employees and customers to wear face masks while they’re in the store. If anyone has a medical condition that makes it difficult to wear a mask, the store says they can enter and it won’t require any sort of documentation to prove that condition.
It’s also asking customers to maintain a 6-foot social distance with others while they’re in the store. Boscov’s will also have a designated entrance and exit for the time being, too. And the store will limit the amount of customers in the store.
For customers with items to return, they’re asked to take them to the courtesy desk. That’s located upstairs at the Pottsville store. Currently, there are no time limits on returned items.
Boscov’s says it has performed a “deep cleaning” at all its stores. They’ve also installed plexiglass screens at all store registers. And they’ve enacted special hygiene practices at its cosmetics counters. Dressing rooms will be closed temporarily.
We haven’t heard from mall management to learn the status of other stores at Fairlane Village Mall.
In the Yellow phase of the state’s coronavirus response, indoor shopping malls are still closed. Stores, like Boscovs, Kohls, and Michaels with their own dedicated entrance are permitted to reopen in the Yellow phase.
Jim Boscov, the current President and CEO of Boscov’s recorded this message prior to stores reopening following the long layoff:
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