The ability to open their retail store is one way to provide care for the NMRMA animals

Dubuque, Iowa – The Museum Store at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium will reopen effective Friday, May 15, 2020, at 10 a.m. The move comes after the State of Iowa’s decision to allow retail establishments in Dubuque to reopen at 50% of their maximum legal occupancy.

“Organizations are looking for creative ways to support themselves. In our case, we are looking for ways to fund the care and feeding of our 2,000 animals,” says Wendy Scardino, Director of Marketing and Communication. “The ability to open our retail store is one way to provide care for our animals.”

Staff have put extensive time into a phased reopening plan to ensure guests and customers have confidence in their ability to safely enjoy and navigate our spaces. The Museum Store will be guests’ first opportunity to see these measures in practice. Staff will be required to wear masks and have their temperature checked before each shift. Those handling payments will be required to wear gloves. Max occupancy will be set lower than the state’s required 50% occupancy to start. Customers are asked to wear masks within the Museum Store, and in keeping with the family atmosphere found at the River Museum, the store will allow families to shop together.

“The River Museum itself remains closed per the State of Iowa’s proclamation on May 13,” adds Scardino. “Guests will enter and exit directly from the Museum Store doors in the National River Center.”

“We have created a very detailed plan focusing on the safety of our guests, staff, animals and organization for reopening,” said Kurt Strand, the organization’s President & CEO. “We hope the community will take a little time to stop down and explore our Museum Store. No matter your interest, we like to think the Museum Store is just as unique and varied as the River Museum itself.”

The Museum Store at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hours may be subject to change after the initial week. The store specializes in unique Dubuque apparel; children’s games, activities kids, plush toys, and books; Mississippi River apparel and nautical home décor; environmentally friendly products and toys; local wines and chocolates; and numerous other specialty items.

Reopening the Museum Store is just one of several earned revenue opportunities the organization is pursuing during its closure. While outreach requests have come to a standstill, distance learning programs are in high demand. Staff at the River Museum created a new distance learning program within the last few weeks to meet the new demand and have several programs already booked. For additional information, visit www.rivermuseum.com.

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