Malls and some other shopping centers around Hampton Roads require minors to be accompanied by a parent — or another supervising adult — during center hours.
Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News recently updated its parental supervision policy to help manage the complex during peak hours. As of Jan. 15, the mall requires shoppers under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian 21 years or older after 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and after 3 p.m. Sunday.
“The goal is to ensure that all guests can enjoy a comfortable and positive shopping experience,” a mall spokesperson said in an email.
The mall previously had a code of conduct that allowed management to address large groups of unsupervised minors to reduce the potential for disruptions. It had also enacted the parental supervision policy Dec. 26 — one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
At Hampton’s Peninsula Town Center, shoppers under 18 are required to be with a parent at all times, according to the center’s community standards.
Both malls in Chesapeake — Chesapeake Square and Greenbrier — also have supervision requirements in place.
Chesapeake Square Mall requires visitors 17 and younger to be accompanied by a parent or supervising adult (21 or older) after 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, according to Chris Good, asset manager and director of commercial properties for Kotarides, which owns the mall. He said the policy on the website needs to be updated.
Greenbrier Mall’s youth escort program applies to those under 18 visiting the mall after 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, according to a brochure provided by general manager David Boyles.
Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach has a link to its age restrictions policy at the top of its website. Guests ages 17 and younger must be with a parent or other adult (21 or older) after 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and after 2 p.m. Sunday.
And at MacArthur Center in Norfolk, the mall’s youth supervision program requires visitors 17 and under be with an adult (21 or older) after 5 p.m. seven days a week.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com

