CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Owners of stores inside the Walden Galleria have sent a petition to Governor Cuomo, urging him to allow enclosed shopping centers to get back to business.
The letter, signed by representatives of 15 different shops, say it's only fair that they be allowed to reopen with other retail stores across the state now that the area is under Phase Two of the state's reopening plan.
In Phase Two of the state’s reopen plan, only stores that have outside doors can reopen. Stores inside malls cannot.
"When you add up what we stand to lose here at Walden Galleria alone, and then multiply that across the regions and then the state, it's not something any one of us want to even think about," states the letter.
"The livelihoods of our businesses are in jeopardy, with employers unsure of what to do next, while leaving thousands of employees still without a job."
Businesses say that they have carefully followed the state's reopening guidelines for other retail stores and believe that can safely execute those plans inside a mall setting.
There's no word from New York State on when malls will be allowed to reopen
