"Hundreds of people streamed through the doors for the grand reopening of the Yuba Sutter Mall on Wednesday. Most customers were wearing face masks – as required by the Yuba-Sutter County public health officer.
Vendors were eager to be back in business.
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“I don't have any money,’ said Mohammad Hossain, owner of the Cell Gallery. “I need money to support my family,” he said.
The mall is one of the prime economic engines for two rural counties that have thwarted Gov. Newsom's stay-at-home orders by reopening today.
"I don't do it in defiance of him," said Amanda Benjamin, a shopper in the mall.
Benjamin brought her children with her. "I just came out because the boys are really excited to use their money they they saved up from their allowances."
Businesses like Bungee Blast said they are doing everything they can to keep their customers safe.
"I'm staying disinfected," said Josiah Waters, owner of Bungee Blast."I keep everything wiped down between kids. Got the hand sanitizer for them before they jump on."
"The retailers have been severely impacted by this closure. So opening today gives them a chance to survive. It also gives the community a sense of normalcy while still following public health guidelines," said Natasha Shelton, general manager of the Yuba Sutter Mall
Those guidelines include wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing -- although the public health officer for the two counties warned that not all businesses are enacting the required protocols.
"It is imperative to make all necessary adjustments to the way we conduct business in our community immediately - so that we do not run the risk of resurgence and need to go back to stricter orders," said Dr. Phuong Luu, Yuba-Sutter health officer.
Meanwhile in Wheatland, Walker's Wine and Brew House had to shut down their in-house dining - even though they told KCRA 3 they were given a green light by county code enforcement officers.
But then, state agents from Alcoholic Beverage Control slapped them with a notice on Tuesday, warning them to shut down their dining room or lose their liquor license.
Owner Mary Walker says she feels caught in the crossfire.
"So we're getting conflicting stories," Walker said. "County likes to do it one way, government likes to do it another way. So both of them fighting against each other is putting all the small businesses at risk and making it difficult for us."
Several others restaurants in Yuba City say they were also given a similar warning." (
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