BOONE, N.C. — Everyone in the Town of Boone will be required to wear masks indoors, even if they are fully vaccinated. The mandate went into effect Tuesday at 5 p.m. The manager of a retail store says she's in favor of the mandate, especially since tourists are flocking to the area.

What You Need To Know

New mask mandate went into effect in Boone Tuesday, August 10

Masks must be worn indoors within town limits

Town council reiterates that business owners can make their own additional rules

Ali Aita loves her job. Aita is the manager at Anna Bananas store in Boone. She graduated from college with a fashion degree.

"I went to Atlanta one time, and I walked into a merchandising show and I said, 'that's what I want to do,'" Aita said.

She's also interested in sustainability, so working at a place that sells secondhand clothing was a no brainer. 

"I started out as an intern and got promoted to 'bananager,'" Aita said.

The store is known for it's fashion. 

"You get really high-end stuff for lower prices, even though somebody has probably worn it like what, two times, who cares," Aita said.

She admits it was difficult for stores like her's during the pandemic. They thought the first sign they made in April of 2020 would be temporary, but it wasn't. They had to make more signs, bring in masks, hand sanitizer and employees masked up.

Now, they are asking employees and others to wear a mask again.  

"We will be like 'please put on a mask, love you,' and usually, if we say it like that, they do and if we say put on a mask, that's what we are all about. Love the love," Aita said.