Cherry Hill Mall Reacts To Return Of Indoor Dining Amid Pandemic

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Dinner and a movie is back in Cherry Hill. Indoor dining will resume across Cherry Hill, including at the Cherry Hill Mall, amid the coronavirus pandemic on Friday. Across the street, the AMC 24 will be allowed to reopen the same day.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday morning that indoor dining can resume at 25 percent capacity and with social distancing between tables at 6 a.m. Friday. He also announced that movie theaters and indoor performance venues can resume on Friday as long as capacity is capped at 25 percent, or 150 people. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: NJ Movie Theaters To Resume Amid Coronavirus Crisis

"We are very excited about this long-anticipated news," the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT) said in an email response to a request for comment by Patch Monday morning. "Our dining establishments are a key part of the Cherry Hill and Moorestown mall experience, and we look forward to their being able to expand their capacity and safely serve more guests."

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In addition to the Cherry Hill and Moorestown malls, PREIT owns the Cumberland Mall and a portion of the Gloucester Premium Outlets.

The announcements came a week after Murphy announced that gyms and indoor amusement parks could reopen at 25 percent capacity as of Sept. 1.

Restaurants were permitted to remain open for takeout and delivery when non-essential businesses were shut down to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic in March. In June, restaurants were allowed to reopen for outdoor dining only.

Murphy's announcement has been long awaited in the restaurant community throughout the state. Some restaurants have been forced to close permanently, but others were eligible for government loans.

Malls overall have taken a financial hit during the pandemic. In August, PREIT reported a $29.2 million loss as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more here: South Jersey Mall Owner PREIT Reports $29.2M Loss Amid Pandemic

With reporting by Tom Davis

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