It’s a common question, especially on holidays: “What Stores Are Open Today?” Whether you’re in need of last-minute Thanksgiving dinner ingredients, a forgotten gift, or just everyday essentials, knowing which stores are open can save you a trip and frustration. While major retailers like Walmart and Target often close for holidays, many other stores, particularly grocery stores and pharmacies, maintain operations, sometimes with adjusted hours. Let’s explore what you can generally expect and how to find out which stores are open when you need them.
Stores Often Open on Holidays (Like Thanksgiving)
For holidays like Thanksgiving Day in 2024, while some big names close their doors, you’ll find several categories of stores remain open to serve your needs.
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Pharmacies: Chains like CVS are typically open on Thanksgiving, though it’s wise to check for reduced hours at your local branch. This is incredibly convenient for urgent prescriptions or health-related necessities.
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Grocery Stores (Select): While large supermarket chains might vary, some grocery stores, such as Wegmans and Price Chopper (as examples from the original article), often open with limited hours on Thanksgiving. Local or smaller grocery stores are also good options to check.
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Convenience and Dollar Stores: Stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar frequently stay open on holidays. These can be lifesavers for quick pickups.
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Smaller Local Stores: Don’t overlook local businesses! Smaller grocery stores, markets, or corner stores in your area might decide to open on holidays, sometimes with unique hours. Nichols in Liverpool, mentioned in the original article, is a good example of a local store open on Thanksgiving with adjusted hours.
Stores Typically Closed on Thanksgiving and Major Holidays
It’s also helpful to know which types of stores are usually closed on major holidays like Thanksgiving, to manage your expectations and plan ahead.
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Major Retailers & Department Stores: Big box stores like Walmart and Target, along with department stores like Kohl’s and chains like Best Buy, commonly close on Thanksgiving Day. This allows their employees to spend the holiday with family.
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Warehouse Clubs: Membership-based stores like Costco and Sam’s Club are also generally closed on Thanksgiving.
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Specialty Retailers (Many): Stores specializing in home goods (Home Depot, HomeGoods), clothing (Old Navy, TJ Maxx), crafts (Michaels), or pet supplies (Petco, PetSmart) often close for Thanksgiving. Bookstores like Barnes & Noble and discount stores like Five Below also typically close.
How to Find Out if a Store is Open Today: Best Practices
To definitively answer “what stores are open today” for your specific needs and location, here are the most reliable methods:
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Check the Store’s Website: Most major retailers have websites with store locators and holiday hours information. Look for a “Store Hours” or “Locations” section and search for your local store.
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Use Store Apps: Many stores have mobile apps that provide real-time information, including store hours, often updated for holidays.
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Call Ahead: The most direct method is to call your local store directly. Store phone numbers are usually easy to find online.
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Use Online Search Engines: Search on Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo for “[Store Name] hours today” or “[Store Name] open near me”. These searches often pull up current store hours directly from store listings.
By utilizing these tips, you can confidently find out what stores are open today, whether it’s a regular day or a holiday, ensuring your shopping trips are successful and convenient. Remember to always double-check directly with the store, especially for holidays, as hours can vary by location.
