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The West Manchester Mall's new youth escort policy is giving Lauren Frey the opportunity to do something she hasn't done in a while.
"I'm out shopping with my grams," said Frey, a 17-year-old city resident and PA Cyber School student.
According to the mall's new policy, guests younger than 18 are required to be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or adult 21 years old or older, in the facility's common areas.
"I had to drive to Dover to get Grams to go with me so I could buy a new pair of leggings, but it's nice to spend time with her. She's a cool lady," Frey said.
Her grandmother, Anita Hahn, said she also didn't consider the mall's new policy much of an inconvenience.
"I'm an old lady. I don't have a busy schedule, and I'm never too busy to be with my grandbabies," said Hahn, a self-proclaimed "proud grandma" who is "78 years young."
The mall's new policy has been in effect for a month, with large signs posted inside the mall's entrance wings, according to Ryan Heindel, mall manager.
He said no specific incident inspired the change or new policy, which began last month when Texas-based M&R Investors in September bought the mall from New York-based Lightstone Group for $17.5 million.
"A lot of malls and shopping centers are starting to go this way," Heindel said.
The York Galleria established a similar policy last fall, which was met with chagrin by teenagers.
Heindel said he hasn't yet heard any complaints about the new policy at the West Manchester Mall.
- Candy Woodall can also be reached at cwoodall@yorkdispatch.com.
