Damaged Portion Of Galleria Exposed To The Public
ROSEVILLE (CBS13) -- CBS13 got its first look inside the epicenter of the Galleria inferno since the mall went up in flames five months ago.
Shoppers are stopping in their tracks and awed by the site of torched, mangled metal in an area covered and hidden since October that is finally exposed.
"When my customers come in I explain to them it looks like a rollercoaster," says one Galleria store associate.
But, as for when the area will be fixed, mall owners aren't saying, but workers say they have heard rumors.
"I heard October, an inspector came in and said October."
But some store owners say they can't hold on that long due to the drastic drop in people visiting the mall.
"I get here at 2 p.m. and leave at 9 p.m., and I'll have absolutely zero people come in to the store," says a Furnitalia store associate.
Owners of the high-end furniture store, Furnitalia, say they haven't made a sale at this location in over a month while their other locations are thriving, like the Furnitalia store across the street at The Fountains.
"We're probably going to close the store at the end of March."
Their location close to the entrance and other high-end retailers might be ideal, though foot traffic has been anything but.
Owners say they've asked for a reduction in rent, but were denied.
CBS13 talked to employees of some other businesses who say they don't think there's been any drop in foot traffic. Although, everyone agrees it's be better once the damaged portion of the mall reopens.
