Taubman Centers shuts malls over COVID-19

Taubman Centers, one of the nation’s largest mall owners, is planning to temporarily close most of its locations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The company will close the properties March 20 through March 29. They could stay closed for longer if required by authorities.

“After numerous discussions with state and local officials, we will temporarily cease operations in all but two centers this evening,” CEO Robert S. Taubman said in a statement. “We are clearly in unprecedented times and this is the right decision for our shoppers, retailers, employees and these communities.”

The move comes as a wave of temporary closures by retail businesses hits the nation. The mall industry’s largest player, Simon Property Group, closed its locations at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, until March 29.

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Indianapolis-based Simon announced in February that it had agreed to acquire Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based Taubman in a deal expected to close in mid-2020.

Taubman said Thursday that tenants at two of its open-air shopping centers may remain open: Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri, and International Market Place in Waikiki, Hawaii.

“In some markets, restaurants or other tenants with exterior public entrances at enclosed malls may stay open at their discretion, as and to the extent permitted by law,” Taubman Centers said. “Businesses with entrances inside of the mall will be closed.”