Customers react to closing of Simon malls until March 29 due to COVID-19

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Simon Property Group will close all malls and retail properties on Wednesday night.

The company said properties will close at 7 p.m. local time. They will remain closed until March 29.

“The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of

COVID-19 in our communities,” David Simon, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Simon, said in a statement.

Simon malls in our area include Castleton Square, Circle Centre Mall, The Fashion Mall, Greenwood Park Mall, Edinburgh Premium Outlets, Hamilton Town Center, College Mall, Tippecanoe Mall, as well as Mishawaka and Michigan City locations. Simon has properties in 37 states. According to the group’s website, Simon properties rakes in an estimated $60 billion in annual sales with $3 billion annual customers nationwide.

This move comes after many individual stores inside malls across the nation announced they would be closing stores or restricting their hours.

Plainfield resident Robert Pitcock said, “I just don’t like how it’s going to affect all the businesses and all that. I feel like it’s going to hurt a lot of people.”

Amy Pitcock, also from Plainfield, said, “It doesn’t surprise me with all the viruses going on. I think it’s a good idea to prevent everything from spreading, but I think they’re taking the right precautions.”

She added, “I think we just gotta get it done. I mean if it hurts business that really stinks. But if it helps, it helps.”

Phillip Eilish said, “At the same time I feel bad for these small businesses that are losing their hours because they need money to provide food for their families. We (have) just got to carry on from here on out.”