PHOENIX — Just as a number of businesses sectors are doing, retailers around Arizona are telling Gov. Doug Ducey they are ready to open again.
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While a large portion of the retail industry has stayed open during Ducey’s stay-at-home order because they were deemed essential businesses — including grocery stores, hardware stores and pharmacies — many retailers have been closed for more than a month.
The nonessential stores say they are ready to open and can implement social distancing and other safety measures.
Michelle Ahlmer, executive director of the Arizona Retailers Association, said that more than a week ago she sent suggested guidelines on how to operate nonessential retailers to the governor’s office. Now she is waiting to hear what he plans to do in regard to the end of the stay-at-home order on April 30.
Nonessential stores that have been closed for at least a month include clothing, electronics and furniture retailers. Ahlmer said there seems to be a bigger push to get restaurants back into doing dining room service than to reopen these other retailers.
“While we applaud the effort to open restaurants, we feel nonessential retail is easier to open safely,” she said.
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