Crowds of Tri-Citians wait in line to shop for the first time in months

Shoppers waited in long lines Thursday to get inside the Ross Dress for Less in Kennewick for the first time in four months.

When the discount retailer opened at 10 a.m. the line already was stretching past neighboring Sportsman’s Warehouse and wrapping back.

At one point Thursday, nearly 100 people could be seen waiting to get in the doors. Some shoppers told KVEW TV they saw others who had camped out overnight in line to be the first inside.

By late afternoon, people were still standing and sitting on the sidewalk of the store at 6705 W. Canal Drive.

The Ross stores in Kennewick, Richland and Yakima County had been closed since mid-March by the coronavirus pandemic shutdown.

Last week, state officials agreed to ease up restrictions on some Tri-Cities businesses, including retail stores, if companies enforced facial covering requirements and other rules.

Only outdoor dining at restaurants is allowed, hair salons are limited to 25% of building capacity and non-essential retail stores are limited to 15% indoor capacity.

Columbia Center mall in Kennewick reopened Tuesday. Shoppers will have their temperatures tested at entrances and masks are required.

Some of the stores are open, while others, including Macy’s, are opening Friday and more on Saturday.

This story was originally published July 9, 2020 at 4:50 PM.