STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A long line -- more than 100 people deep -- has been forming all day on Saturday at the Staten Island Mall.

The line, for entrance into Bath & Body Works, located on the upper level of the New Springville Mall, was the longest shoppers said they have seen in a long time -- albeit pre-coronavirus (COVID-19) days.

When asked, Mall management didnt know why everyone was so patiently waiting on line. But Bath & Body Works is advertising its annual candle day event -- three wick candles are on sale for $9.95.

And they are sold out online.

Patrons said they were standing on a more than 100-person line at the Mall to buy candles. (Staten Island Advance/Alexandra Salmieri)

A representative of Bath & Body Works didnt respond to an Advance/SILive.com request for comment about the sale.

The Mall is restricted to only allow 50% capacity of shoppers amid the pandemic, but it has not come -- even on Black Friday -- near that level, said James Easley, senior Mall manager.

Since re-opening, the mall has put a myriad of safety precautions in place for shoppers amid the pandemic.

Protocols include a new air filtration system, floor stickers and other signage pertaining to social distancing rules and hand-sanitizing dispensers throughout the Mall.

The MERV-13 filter has been in place even before it was mandated by the state. And we have gallons and gallons of hand sanitizer, said Easley when the Mall reopened in September.

No one can enter the Mall without a mask, and all security guards wear masks. Also, there are no sitting areas at all in the Mall.

Patrons said they were standing on a more than 100-person line at the Mall to buy candles. (Staten Island Advance/Alexandra Salmieri)

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Why is there a long line in the Staten Island Mall? - SILive.com