Santa Maria Town Center Mall increases capacity to 50 percent as part of ‘Red Tier’

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - More shoppers are hitting the Santa Maria Town Center Mall after Santa Barbara County moved to the less-restrictive 'Red Tier' of the state's reopening plan.

"This means we can operate with expanded capacity across-the-board," said Kristen LaGrange, marketing manager of the Santa Maria Town Center Mall.

The mall capacity has moved from 25 percent to 50 percent. This allows for more shoppers like Isabel Riva to experience a little bit of normalcy.

"I’m excited because my kids get to come with me and experience this as they start to open more stores and everything else," Riva said.

Mall managers are excited as they are expecting a continued increase in foot traffic later starting Friday night and into the weekend.

"We’re thrilled," said LaGrange. "We just want to keep it moving in the right direction.

Some shoppers, like Brad Sparks, are coming for the food.

"Most, most excited place to visit is Wetzel's Pretzels," said Sparks.

Reduced capacity food courts are allowed under the Red Tier. Food courts can be open at 25 percent capacity or 100 people.

Others thrive on the camaraderie of being with family and friends.

"It means leaving a memory with my son, it means leaving creative memories and giving people business and helping our community out," said shopper Rodrigo Garcia.

"It's... always represented the heart of this community. And so when we have the foot traffic, it really feels alive and you’re really in touch with your community," said LaGrange.