LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kentuckians can now shop in-person as the Commonwealth reopens its retail stores but the experience looks different from the last time you went to the mall. 

“I’m very excited to get people back in the center,” Mall St. Matthews General Manager David Jacoby told Spectrum News 1. 

He says shoppers were waiting in line, outside before the doors were opened Wednesday morning. It’s been more than two months since shopping centers and businesses deemed “non-essential,” were closed by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear (D).

Jacoby says Mall St. Matthews has more than 100 vendors and each is responsible for making sure customers keep their distance as part of the reopening guidelines handed out by the state. 

“Each store depending on the size, they have to manage their own occupancy and make sure everyone is socially distanced according to the guidelines,” Jacoby said.

The rule is no more than 33% of a store's capacity is allowed to shop at once. Customers are not required to wear a mask but it’s encouraged and on Wednesday it was easy to spot mall attendants handing out masks and wiping down surfaces. 

“A lot of people wearing their masks, you’re right. I have mine, I just took it off to talk to you guys,” Alan Bonnie said. He was shopping with his family Wednesday afternoon. “We couldn’t wait for this day. We’ve been waiting to get out. We’ve been ordering online but it’s too hectic, so we figured we’d get out today and see how things were and we did get a few items today,” Bonnie said. 

Mall management says online ordering and curbside will continue for shoppers not wanting to venture inside just yet.

The food court is also carry-out only until Friday when the next phase of Kentucky’s reopening takes place and restaurants can also welcome back in-person dining. The same 33% occupancy will apply.