Get a classic photo with Santa this month at Briarwood Mall.

The Tree Town mall is among eight properties owned by commercial real estate company Simon Property Group to receive the distinction for its green efforts.

Briarwood Mall is calling on consumers to return unwanted items directly to stores.

NEW YORK The nation's biggest mall owner is backing out of a $3.6 billion deal to buy a major rival as the coronavirus pandemic shakes the retail economy. It is the second major retail deal signed just before the pandemic began to spread in the U.S. that has crumbled. Last month, a deal to sell Victoria's Secret to a private equity group fell apart. Simon owns or has a stake in 204 properties in the U.S. as of last year. Taubman Realty owns, manages or leases 26 shopping centers in the U.S. and Asia, including The Mall at Short Hills in New Jersey, and Waterside Shops in Naples, Florida.

ANN ARBOR Briarwood Mall announced that it will reopen on Thursday after closing its doors on March 19 over health concerns relating to the coronavirus outbreak. Mall officials published enhanced safety protocols developed with health experts in order to ensure heightened safety standards at the property. Employee safety protections including implementing the CDCs COVID-19 frequent hand-washing protocols, and offering personal protective equipment in addition to other CDC recommended practices. Briarwood Mall provides more than 2,000 jobs to members of the local community and contributes $2.8 million in property tax and $13.2 million of sales tax revenue to the state. According to property officials, these tax receipts fund essential community services, including infrastructure, education and health and safety services.