Battlefield Mall closed over coronavirus

Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE: SPG) is putting Battlefield Mall on temporary hiatus.

The owner of Battlefield Mall yesterday announced all of its U.S. retail properties would close through March 29, according to a news release.

"The health and safety of our shoppers, retailers and employees is of paramount importance, and we are taking this step to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities," Simon Chairman, CEO and President David Simon said in the release.

Springfield Business Journal made multiple inquiries this week on whether Battlefield Mall would close temporarily amid the coronavirus pandemic. Officials responded this morning, with a spokesperson pointing to a statement on the mall's website posted yesterday.

Simon Property Group had more than 100 malls domestically as of December 2019, according to its website. Battlefield Mall is its sole Missouri mall.

It’s been a bit of a mixed year at Battlefield Mall. Sears announced it would shutter in mid-April, but the mall has announced new tenants, including clothing retailers H&M, Dry Goods and Aerie.