Mall Puts Limit On Holiday Bell-Ringers

A change in corporate policy at Grand Teton Mall has put a lid on one of the Salvation Army’s most profitable kettles in Idaho Falls.

Compass Retail, which has owned Grand Teton Mall since 1993, made the decision this year not to allow the Salvation Army to ring its bells in the mall to protect itself from possible lawsuits, a company official said.

Not all malls are doing the same. At Boise Towne Square, a mall in Boise, Salvation Army bell-ringers still are allowed at mall entryways.

Last weekend, one of them was Gov. Phil Batt. He drew in $82.50.

Batt said he served as a Salvation Army bell-ringer about a decade ago and has contributed to the organization for 40 years.