INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - For the first time in two months, Indianapolis malls are open. That includes The Fashion Mall at Keystone, which has made a lot of changes to keep shoppers safe.
The changes include restricting entrances, closing off play and gathering areas, and asking everyone to wear masks and practice social distancing.
And it's not just malls.
Small, locally owned businesses were also allowed to reopen in Marion County Friday, but not all are.
In Broad Ripple, several stores were still "closed until further notice," others opening but wondering what business will be like moving forward.
"We really don't know what to expect. We're hoping customers come in and feel comfortable but at the same time we understand if they might not," said Shiron Miller, co-owner of Rusted Moon Outfitters.
Like many other retailers, Rusted Moon has relied on curbside pick-up and deliveries.
Returning to in-store sales required scouring the store and now having everyone entering the store wear a mask, disinfect their hands and practice social distancing.
"We're trying to do everything we can to ensure them that safety is our first concern," Miller said.
Marigold, a women's clothing store in Broad Ripple, is also eager to see customers in person again. It opens Saturday, but by appointment only and with just one customer in the store at a time.
"We just don't want to throw our doors open...We know people want to get out and just have some entertainment and we just don't feel safe having people coming and going, so we're scheduling for our customers," said Marigold owner Linda Shikany.
She said they were booked for the first day and ready with sanitizer, masks and other precautions. Shikany said she was hopeful business would pick up again.
"It's hard. I mean it's been more than 60 days with very little revenue," she said, "but I think people really believe in local and want to support local and want to get out and do that."
Will shoppers browse or buy? At JackRabbit, a running store in Broad Ripple, Kelsey Rardon was buying a new pair of badly needed shoes.
"It's very difficult I've been staying home for almost everything but I needed a new pair of shoes because I've been walking so much lately," she said. "I very intentionally came when I knew it wasn't going to be busy. I don't feel comfortable going into stores where there are a lot of people."
At the time she bought her shoes, she was the only customer in the store.
Store manager Luke Tormoehlen said while they've done well selling online, "the brick and mortar is a lot easier to do fittings...you can't try on shoes online, so having that option here and having our free gait analysis on the treadmill really helps bring people in."
Rardon said it's hard. She is still uncomfortable being in public places, but wants to "support our local businesses. It's it's very important to me so I think it's sort of a trade-off."
But she appreciate all the safety measures, from the plexiglass sneeze screens at the register, to watching Tormoehlen sanitize the door and handle as she left the store.
The big unknown? What will it take for her and other shoppers to be comfortable again just shopping? For now, retailers seem relieved just to open the doors again and ease back in to business.