NC's biggest department store reopens with precautions as data shows more people venturing out

"I heard that Belk was going to reopen, and I got really excited," said longtime Belk shopper Mary Honeycutt, who noted that she needs to return some items she bought before coronavirus closed the stores.

Matthew Powell, manager of the Belk store at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh, said the reopening also is big for store employees.

"As one of the biggest employers in the state and especially here at Belk Crabtree, to hear some of the stories of what employees are going through, I think it is going to make a big difference," Powell said.

But more shopping is expected to have an impact on the spread of the coronavirus.

Compared to a low in early April, when mobility in North Carolina was down 47 percent from typical levels, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation estimates mobility ticked up 11 percentage points through May 4. That was four days before the statewide stay-at-home restrictions were eased.

The IHME model predicts that mobility statewide will tick up another point or so before plateauing through August. Virus-related deaths in the state are expected to reach 1,190 by the end of July, according to the group's forecast.

Belk has put policies in place to continue limiting the spread of the virus while inviting shoppers back, Powell said.

The chain is limiting its hours to noon to 6 p.m., and at the Crabtree Valley Mall store, outside entrances were blocked off on Monday, forcing shoppers to use the mall entrance.

"We have a door greeter at each door, they are counting the number of customers that are coming in and out the building," Powell said.

Under the 50 percent occupancy limit during phase one, about 950 people would still be allowed inside the Crabtree Valley store.

Shoppers aren't allowed to try on clothes inside the store, Powell said. Instead, they can buy items and try them on at home. If they want to return anything, he said, the merchandise will be quarantined for three days before being put back out on the floor for other shoppers.

"We’ve had nothing but compliments from our customers, and everyone is really thrilled to comply with the guidelines we’ve put in place," Powell said.

"They are trying their best. They’re doing what they can," shopper Lane Degroot said. "When it comes to a pair of clothes, you see a woman go out. She wants to pick out her dress, she wants to get it measured, she wants to feel beautiful in it. Same thing with guys. I mean, we are not so different."

Honeycutt said she is more concerned about the actions of other shoppers than about Belk's guidelines.

"I hope people are being careful and cautious about it," she said. "I try to focus on not touching anything unless I just absolutely have to, and I keep my mask on. ... I try to make sure I [keep] distance between myself and others."

Belk also offers free curbside pick-up for online orders for people still wary about going into the mall.