Shopping and dining at The Island in Pigeon Forge are set to reopen this week

The Island, a conglomeration of amusement park rides, restaurants and shops that's one of Pigeon Forge's main attractions, is planning to reopen its retail stores and restaurants as early as Thursday, according to a release from the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce. 

Mellow Mushroom will open Thursday. All shops and restaurants including Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen, Timberwood Grill, Cinnabon & Auntie Anne’s Pretzel and Margaritaville Coffee Shop will be open Friday. Dine-in service will be limited to 50% capacity. 

Gov. Bill Lee's plan to reopen businesses across Tennessee allows restaurants and retail stores to reopen if they take precautions including mask-wearing, practicing social distancing and properly sanitizing surfaces. According to the release, employees at The Island will be following CDC guidelines and the Tennessee Pledge when stores and dining reopen. 

David Wear, the mayor of Pigeon Forge and vice president of operations for The Island, defended business owners who kept their doors open through late March in an interview with Knox News several weeks ago. On Wednesday, he said he was looking forward to restrictions being lifted so that every business can reopen when the time is right.

"We've missed spring break. That's a big time for us to earn revenue from businesses and tax revenue so that we can provide services back to the community," Wear said. "We know May is a slower month, so now's a good time to ramp up reopening and make sure that guidelines and best practices are in place for every business." 

All lodging, restaurants and shopping in Pigeon Forge can reopen on Friday. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park could also open, but no decision has been made by park officials. Entertainment attractions including amusement rides and live theaters may open May 29.

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