Santa Maria Town Center Mall opens as cooling center during extreme heat

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Hundreds of shoppers decided to hit the mall to beat the heat.

"It’s amazing because I’m able to walk around. Gyms are closed and the pools are closed on Labor Day so it’s good to walk around and see everything open," said shopper Kristy Soriano.

Due to the extreme heat the mall is serving as a cooling center for many throughout this Labor Day weekend.

It’s also bringing much relief to those without an air conditioner inside their homes.

"Well they run an AC in here and as soon as you walk in you can feel the fresh air and you’re so wanna be out with your family and this is one of the spots. There’s many stores around and like I said there’s a scene here ... it’s pretty fresh here more than out there," said shopper Anna Ortiz.

Managers at the mall say there’s plenty to do inside as long as you’re wearing a mask and maintaining a physical distance

"It’s so hot outside that when I need something cold to drink I drink the Wetzels stuff and so I love coming here for that or whatever," said Soriano.

"It’s going really fun we just got here we’re gonna explore what there is what stores are open and just kind of cool off from out there," said Ortiz.

Even though there is no seating allowed in the common area due to the Coronavirus pandemic, shoppers seem grateful knowing they can go to the mall to cool down.

"If it weren’t for the mall being open today we wouldn’t have somewhere to go that’s nice and cool," said Soriano.

The mall is open during Labor Day from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and is fully air conditioned.