Houston malls, stores close after massive damage
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/ZLNZ22KXFNHIBDP3CKD6WEJM2Y.png)
HOUSTON TX June 2 2020 – Houston area malls and retail stores including the Galleria mall closed Sunday to the public amid protests in Houston, according to a security source at The Galleria.
Houston Police Department was sent and began blocking all parking lot entrances to the mall.
On Saturday night, a video shared online shows looters attempting to break into Forever 21, which has an exterior window display located on Westheimer Road.
NorthPark Center and Galleria Dallas are among other malls closed on Sunday following a night of violent protests in downtown Dallas and Deep Ellum, Dallas Morning News reports.
Although the malls have their own security forces, they are not trained for this type of violence a store manager said.
High-end stores including Neiman Marcus and Forty Five Ten, Traffic are among damaged storefronts.
As demonstrations begin to escalate, businesses are starting to board up to avoid property damage and theft.
As protests continue to erupt, Target and CVS are temporarily closing some stores and adjusting hours at locations nationwide citing the safety of its team and shoppers as its top priority.
“Employee and customer safety is our top priority, so we are continually monitoring protests as they occur in the communities we serve and will close stores, if needed, to help ensure the safety of employees and customers,” CVS said in a statement.
