Two Alabama shopping centers try new contact-free curbside delivery

It may be the future of retail in the era of the pandemic – shopping centers offering curbside pickup for multiple retailers.

Birmingham’s Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors is launching a curbside service at two venues in Alabama – The Shoppes of EastChase in Montgomery and Mountain Brook’s Lane Parke. The company is rolling out the “On the Go” initiative across the South, but its first tryout will be in Alabama.

The Shoppes at EastChase will have 16 designated parking spots throughout the shopping center. Lane Parke, along with Westport Village in Louisville, Ky., will have four spots, located throughout the shopping center parking areas.

Shoppers can purchase items from participating retailers online or over the phone. A pick-up time will be scheduled, with the items to be delivered to a designated parking spot. Once the shopper arrives, she notifies the store, and an employee will deliver the purchases to the shopper’s vehicle. Deliveries can be made to the trunk or passenger seat for contactless service.

To find out which stores are participating, shoppers can go to the center’s website for a list, along with pickup areas.

Sam Heide, president of Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors, said the program is a natural evolution of retail in adapting to customer needs.

“We don’t view this as a short-term trend,” Heide said. “‘On the Go’ is a permanent enhancement to our venues that will benefit all stakeholders.”