‘Purple Tier’ expected to impact new businesses at Santa Maria Town Center Mall

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Since the majority of California moved to the "Purple Tier" in the state's reopening plan, the Santa Maria Town Center Mall has scaled down customer capacity.

"We were pretty shocked to hear that we were going to be dropping a tier especially being a new business in Santa Maria," said owner Jesse White of Get Socked Up.

Jesse White just opened his new store "Get Socked Up" at the Town Center Mall last week.

Now he’s having to jump-start his new business at limited capacity.

During the first two days of purple tier restrictions, White says his sales took a hit.

"We maybe saw maybe about a 25 percent decrease in our sales," said White.

But customers are still coming to the mall.

Shopper Bonnie Daugherty says she loves coming to the mall, but feels frustrated moving to the purple tier.

"I’m surprised that some of the businesses have even lasted this long and for this gentleman to take a risk in opening a business during this time is huge," said Daugherty.

While retail continues to operate at 25 percent capacity, White says he’s confident that sales will increase during the holiday season. "Luckily we’re becoming a trendy store store and we definitely want to see that momentum continue with our community."

As part of the purple tier, the common area is currently closed.

But restaurants are open for takeout orders, and the food court seating is now outside.

As for White, he’s keeping his fingers crossed this holiday season.

"I am a small business so I’m just really hoping the community will support their small businesses this holiday and really go out and shop small businesses," said White.

Managers with Santa Maria Town Center Mall want to assure everyone that the mall remains open during regular hours.