Facing looming shutdowns, Chico mall to remain open

Chico Marketplace sent a notice to mall employees that it is going to stay open, despite Butte County being on the state's watchlist.

Evenign to you - we have a lot of news to get to - tonight.

We start with the local stores anticipating a hard shutdown, but one mall choosing to stay open.

Action news now reporter esteban reynoso leading us off tonight from the chico mall - he shows how employees and the county feel about staying open.

Tonight, employees at the chico mall getting ready to work through another shutdown.

"if it's not safe for everybody, then i'd rather close down."

If butte county stays on the watchlist for three straight days, the county will face additional restrictions.

"whenever you have a large footprint, the mall, large retailers -- if any of them have to shift gears and if they end up having to shutdown, it's a huge impact."

However, the city of chico says businesses need to stay open.

"we're going to try to find avenues they can take to continue operating.

Businesses are essential.

And so we definently understand that businesses want to stay open, they have to stay open in order for the economy to continue to move forward."

But the county says if the mall doesn't comply -- "we'll go in and try to educate the mall owner, that hey listen, you have to, this has to be closed, this is a state deal.

Talk to shop owners, shop owners, let them know the same way.

If they don't do that, then our part, we let the state know we tried, then they go from there."

The chico mall sent action news now this statement saying -- /chico marketplace is remaining open with adjusted hours to give our retailers the opportunity to serve the local community.

In addition, the center is a place where our shoppers can get relief from the heat while social distancing in our large common areas.

And employees here are worried about losing their jobs.

"i'm a little worried about the unemployment rates going down, losing that $600."

But both the city and the county are focused on one thing -- "it's our hope that for those businesses that can remain open, it's fantastic."

"we don't want to stay in this mode either, we want to get out of this and go on."

Esteban will all getting ready to work through another shutdown.

"if it's not safe for everybody, then i'd rather close down."

If butte county stays on the watchlist for three straight days, the county will face additional restrictions.

"whenever you have a large footprint, the mall, large retailers -- if any of them have to shift gears and if they end up having to shutdown, it's a huge impact."

However, the city of chico says businesses need to stay open.

"we're going to try to find avenues they can take to continue operating.

Businesses are essential.

And so we definently understand that businesses want to stay open, they have to stay open in order for the economy to continue to move forward."

But the county says if the mall doesn't comply -- "we'll go in and p-&adotha either, we to get out of this and go on."

Tonight, employees at the chico mall getting ready to work through another shutdown.

"if it's not safe for everybody, then i'd rather close down."

If butte county stays on the watchlist for three straight days, the county will face additional restrictions.

"whenever you have a large footprint, the mall, large retailers -- if any of them have to shift gears and if in-&o e orig "w stay in this m eith to get out of th esteban will all the stores stay open inside the mall?

Well scott - as i walked around the mall earlier today some shops were closed, others were open for business, but requiring masks and limited capacity.

Scott.

Alright,