Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Business and Economic News
Jonathan Franklin, NPR

A guide to what is — and isn't — open this Thanksgiving Day

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Shoppers wear protective face masks as they look for Black Friday deals at the Ellenton Premium Outlet stores Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Ellenton, Fla.
Shoppers wear protective face masks as they look for Black Friday deals at the Ellenton Premium Outlet stores Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, in Ellenton, Fla.
Chris O'Meara/AP

Last year, stores, major retailers and fast-food chains closed their doors on Thanksgiving Day due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And for the second year in a row, the majority of major retailers and food places will keep their stores closed on Thursday.

Target announced Monday that its stores will no longer open on Thanksgiving Day — a move that started out last year as a one-off due to the pandemic but that is now a permanent change.

"What started as a temporary measure driven by the pandemic is now our new standard — one that recognizes our ability to deliver on our guests' holiday wishes both within and well beyond store hours," Target CEO Brian Cornell explained in a note to employees, according to The Associated Press.

Earlier this year, Walmart announced that its stores will be closed for Thanksgiving Day, as a "thank you" to all its associates for their hard work during the pandemic, said Dacona Smith, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Walmart U.S.

Other big retail chains, such as Best Buy, JCPenney and Kohl's have also announced they will be closed this Thanksgiving — pushing instead for customers to start this year's Black Friday shopping online.

Here's a list of stores that will be closed this Thanksgiving Day, according to the website The Black Friday:

  • Abt Electronics

  • Academy Sports

  • Ace Hardware

  • Acme Tools

  • Ashley Furniture

  • At Home

  • Bath & Body Works

  • Barnes & Noble

  • Bealls

  • Bed Bath & Beyond

  • Belk

  • Best Buy

  • Big 5 Sporting Goods

  • BJ's

  • Blain's Farm & Fleet

  • Bloomingdale's

  • Boscov's

  • Build-A-Bear Workshop

  • Burlington

  • Campmor

  • Christmas Tree Shops

  • Christopher and Banks

  • Conn's Home Plus

  • Costco

  • Dunham's Sports

  • Farm & Home Supply

  • Five Below

  • Fleet Farm

  • Fred Meyer

  • GameStop

  • Guitar Center

  • Half Price Books

  • Harbor Freight

  • Hobby Lobby

  • Home Depot

  • IKEA

  • JCPenney

  • Joann

  • Jos A. Bank

  • Kohl's

  • La-Z Boy

  • Lowe's

  • Macy's

  • Menards

  • Michaels

  • Micro Center

  • Music & Arts

  • NEX Navy Exchange

  • Neiman Marcus

  • Nordstrom

  • Nordstrom Rack

  • Northern Tool & Equipment

  • Office Depot

  • Office Max

  • Old Navy

  • Paper Store

  • PC Richard & Son

  • Pet Supplies Plus

  • Petco

  • PetSmart

  • Pier1

  • Publix

  • REI

  • Sam's Club

  • Sears

  • Sears Outlet

  • Sportsman's Warehouse

  • Staples

  • Sur La Table

  • Target

  • Tractor Supply Co.

  • True Value

  • Ulta Beauty

  • Under Armour

  • Value City Furniture

  • Victoria's Secret

  • Walmart

  • West Marine

  • World Market

While most major retailers will have their doors closed Thursday, stores such as CVS, Whole Foods, HEB and Dollar Tree will remain open but with modified hours for customers.

Here's a look at stores that will stay open on Thanksgiving Day:

  • Bass Pro Shops

  • Big Lots

  • CVS Pharmacy

  • Cabela's

  • Dollar General

  • Family Dollar

  • Kmart

  • Meijer

  • Olympia Sports

  • PepBoys

  • Rite Aid

  • Rural King Supply

  • Walgreens

Retailers and other businesses, depending on the state, may have special rules and precautions in place due to COVID-19.

And if you're not in the mood to cook this Thanksgiving, heads up — you may have slim pickings for choices, as some major restaurants and fast-food places are closed for business.

Here's a list of restaurants and food chains that will stay open on Thanksgiving Day:

(Note: Depending on the location and region, some franchises will be open)

  • Bonefish Grill

  • Carrabba's Italian Grill

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill

  • Chuck E. Cheese

  • Church's Chicken

  • First Watch

  • Little Caesars

  • Olive Garden

  • Outback Steakhouse

  • Panera Bread

  • Peet's Coffee

  • P.F. Chang's

  • Red Lobster

  • Taco Bell

  • Tijuana Flats

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

A previous version of this story listed HEB among stores that are closed on Thanksgiving Day, but HEB stores are open until noon.