Customers are being allowed back inside the Dillard’s at the Mall of Georgia in Gwinnett County, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Hazmat, police and fire officials were called to the mall, which is just off I-85 near Buford, Thursday afternoon.

According to Gwinnett fire Capt. Tommy Rutledge, a bag was left in a storage area with an employee’s name on it. The employee opened the bag, went home, fell ill and was taken to a hospital by ambulance.

Because the bag was still at the mall, authorities evacuated the Dillard's to make sure the area was safe. The bag was found to be harmless and officials determined there was no connection between it and the employee's sickness.

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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com