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DFO Essendon will allow members of the public to pay their respects at the site of a plane crash which killed five people, before it reopens next week.
The centre will remain closed until Monday after a charter flight carrying four US citizens lost control and crashed into the building on Tuesday.
A dedicated area will be established outside DFO Essendon from Friday noon, with the community invited to attend before the centre resumes regular trading.
DFO Essendon CEO Angus McNaughton said authorities had given the centre an all clear to reopen but it was holding off until Monday "out of respect".
"We understand that our community, team members and retailers may like to reflect and acknowledge those who have lost their lives."
Mr McNaughton confirmed retailers would be allowed access to the building on Friday in preparation for the reopening the centre.
"There are 12 stores in the homemaker centre that will not reopen on Monday - one retail store that sustained damage as part of the accident and 11 adjacent retailers currently without power," he said.
Pilot Max Quartermain and Americans Greg DeHaven, Russell Munsch, Glenn Garland and John Washburn died in the crash.
The men intended to fly to King Island for a round of golf when the Bendigo-owned plane encountered a failure in both engines. It crashed only a few hundred metres after takeoff. An investigation continues.
Incredibly, no one at the DFO homemaker centre was harmed despite significant damage to the rear of the building.
- The Age
