Those who came to the mall on Thursday without a mask said they relished the freedom to choose. However, more than 80% of the roughly 200 counted around midday still chose to keep their masks on, at least partially. Twenty shoppers wore no mask at all, and 15 had their masks lowered or hanging from their ears. The count did include people dining at the food court. And while the mall itself does not require masks, individual stores maintain the right to insist upon them, and many businesses are continuing to do so. Galleria Director of Marketing Alannah Gallagher said masks are still "strongly recommended for all visitors.”