Columbus Day

Is The Post Office Open Columbus Day 2019?

October 10, 2019 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

Columbus Day falls on Monday, Oct. 14 this year. Even though many people may not know what Columbus Day is all about, they’ll have the day off and enjoy a three-day weekend. However, some of your favorite stores and other businesses may be closed. This may leave you wondering, “Is the post office open Columbus Day?”

Is the Post Office Open Columbus Day?

No. The post office will be closed on Columbus Day. Because Columbus Day is a federal holiday, post offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14. Physical USPS locations will be closed. There will also be no mail delivery.

All USPS employees will have the day off. So, if you need to interact with someone at USPS, you won’t be able to do so on Monday. However, some services will still be available.

You’ll still be able to use the self-service options at your local post offices, such as buying stamps and sending letters or small packages. Some locations may have a self-service system for printing postage in the lobby as well. You will also be able to access your personal P.O. box.

These services are generally available to customers at USPS 24/7. If you are wondering what services, if any, will be available at your local post office, you may want to give them a call and verify what will be available on Monday.

Is the Post Office Open Columbus Day Weekend?

Although many of you will have a three-day weekend, that isn’t the case for USPS workers. Mail will still run on Saturday and, depending on your local P.O.’s regular hours, they will be open on Saturday, Oct. 12 as well. So, if your post office is usually open, it will be open this Saturday and closed on Sunday, as usual.

Keep in mind, there are three more federal holidays in which the post office will be closed this year. These holidays will also impact the post office’s regular schedule:

Veterans’ Day: Monday, November 11, 2019
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 28, 2019
Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25, 2019

If you have any questions about your local post office holiday hours or the services that will be available to you, give them a call. The customer service number is 1-800-275-8777.

Photo: jelm6

Best Deals on Columbus Day 2019

October 10, 2019 By Flanice Lewis Leave a Comment

Columbus, or Indigenous Peoples’ Day, is the last shopping holiday before Black Friday. With that title comes the great responsibility of deals galore. Will it live up to its position this year?

Cars

Columbus Day is known for its deals on vehicles, and US News has round up the best of the best. This month is the start of the final quarter and the beginning period to market next year’s vehicles. The best deals – if you’re looking to purchase new – are on coupes, sedans, trucks, and vans. This year, there are several foreign and domestic brands offering 0% financing for up to six years or around $7,000 cashback. In some instances, like with the 2019 Dodge Ram 1500, you can get $4,000 cashback and a 0% annual percentage rate (APR) for 60 months.

However, if you’re looking for a sport utility vehicle or a variety of luxury vehicles, then leased or pre-owned deals are offering the most variety. You could lease a 2020 Toyota Corolla for $139 per month, or you can purchase a used Land Rover with an APR as low as 0.9%. Ensure you research the car you want, set a budget, and decide to buy or lease before heading to the dealership. Doing so saves time and helps you shop for a new car responsibly.

Shopping

You can save on more than just cars and trucks on Columbus Day. If you’re looking for mattresses, you can save up to 60% at Macy’s and Sears. If you’re looking for home decor or appliances, try Blinds.com or Home Depot. AllModern has furniture up to 80% off when you use the site discount and promotional code, “GOBOLD,” for an additional 15%. Joss & Main have taken things a step further and reduced prices by up to 75% for its Fall Clearance event. However, you might want to consider waiting for Black Friday for devices. The rates will more than likely drop again between Columbus Day and Thanksgiving.

If you’re shopping for clothes at a deep discount, you can search online and in-store. Internet retailer Asos is slashing prices by as much as 80% for outerwear, shoes, and dresses. Nordstrom is lowering costs for clothes and accessories by 70% this weekend. Also, Amazon is selling Coach accessories at a considerable markdown with bags starting at $29.

Travel

If you need to find a flight for the holidays or want to get out of town, there are several travel sites with deals happening now. Southwest is taking 55% off of vacations when you book through their vacation-package site. Also, Samsonite is offering 50% off sitewide on luggage, with an additional 20% off with promotional code “EXTRA20” and free shipping over $99.

Here is a list of retailers offering the best deals on Columbus Day by percentage.

AllModern (up to 80%, furniture)
Asos (up to 80%, shoes)
Joss & Main (up to 75%, home decor)
Belk (up to 70%, miscellaneous)
Gilt (up to 70%, accessories)
H&M (up to 70%, accessories)
Nordstrom (up to 70%, miscellaneous)
Samsonite (up to 70%, luggage)
Wayfair (up to 70%, home decor)
Macy’s (up to 60%, miscellaneous)
Sears (up to 60%, miscellaneous)
Southwest (up to 55%, travel)
Anthropologie (up to 50%, miscellaneous)
Barneys Warehouse (up to 50%, apparel)
Birch Lane (up to 50%, furniture)
Blinds.com (up to 50%, home decor)
Dick’s Sporting Goods (up to 50%, sporting goods)
JCPenney’s (up to 50%, miscellaneous)
Pottery Barn (up to 50%, home decor)
AJ Madison (up to 45%, appliances)
Rue La La (up to 40%, kitchen appliances)
Home Depot (up to 35%, miscellaneous)
Kohl’s (up to 30%, miscellaneous)
Dormify (up to 25%, home decor)

What’s Open and What’s Closed on Columbus Day 2019

October 9, 2019 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Columbus Day is approaching quickly, and many people are looking forward to a day off from work. Whether you plan to spend the day relaxing, are heading out of town, or want to get in some shopping, knowing what is open and closed on Columbus Day is helpful. Not everything is open for the holiday, which lands on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. If you want to make sure that you don’t accidentally waste time by heading to a destination that isn’t open on Columbus Day, here’s a look at which businesses, agencies, and organizations will open or close their doors that Monday.

Retail Stores

In the vast majority of cases, retail stores are open on Columbus Day. Major chains typically maintain their usual Monday operating hours, and many hold sales to entice shoppers into heading to their locations. Plus, leftover summer goods, some back-to-school items, and other seasonal products might have made their way to the clearance racks.

Here is a list of just some of the retailers that are open on Columbus Day:

Bed, Bath & Beyond
Best Buy
BJs Wholesale Club
Burlington
Costco
Dollar Tree
DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
Half Price Books
Home Depot
JCPenney
Kmart
Lowe’s
Macy’s
Old Navy
Petco
Sam’s Club
Sears
Target
Walmart

It’s important to understand that small business retailers might not be open on Monday, Oct. 14. A “mom and pop” store can set its own schedule, so they may choose to shut their door for this federal holiday. If you plan to head to a small business, consider calling ahead to confirm it will be open.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are typically open on holidays, including Columbus Day. Essentially, every major chain opens its doors on most holidays, though some may have limited hours.

However, independent grocery stores may or may not be open. In many cases, it’s wise to call ahead to confirm whether your preferred destination is open or if they are using an alternative holiday operating schedule.

Drug Stores and Pharmacies

Chain drug stores such as CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens are usually open on Columbus Day. But some locations may operate on holiday schedules, reducing the total number of hours that they are open. Additionally, the pharmacy counter might close for the holiday, so you may want to confirm it is available if you need to pick up a prescription.

Independent pharmacies might choose to close for Columbus Day, though they also may not. Contact your independent pharmacy in advance to confirm it is open before making the trip to ensure you don’t waste time.

Restaurants

Chain restaurants are commonly open on Columbus Day. However, it’s possible that some may use holiday hours instead of their normal operating hours. Independent restaurants may or may not be open, so you might want to call ahead before going.

Gas Stations and Convenience Stores

Chain gas stations are typically open on Columbus Day, including their convenience stores. In rare cases, a chain convenience store might reduce holiday hours. Independent gas stations and their convenience stores might close for the holiday. However, any place that uses pay-at-the-pump will still accept debit or credit cards for fuel purchases even if there isn’t an employee available, so getting gas shouldn’t be an issue.

U.S. Stock Markets

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ are open on Columbus Day. However, the SIMFA bond market is closed.

Banks and Credit Unions

Financial institutions, such as banks and credit unions, are mainly closed on Columbus Day. Branch tellers typically aren’t available, and you might not be able to get support from a live person on the phone either.

Some TD Bank and other bank locations do open, so you might be able to complete transactions if your bank branch chooses to open its doors. However, it’s best to call ahead and confirm before heading out the door.

Even if your bank or credit union closes on Columbus Day, you can still head to ATMs outside of the secured part of the location. Plus, you can handle many banking tasks online. Just keep in mind that any ATM or online deposits or transfers might not formally start processing until the next business day at the earliest.

Public Libraries

Public libraries are typically closed on Columbus Day. They often follow either the federal or state government holiday schedules, so many are not open. However, there are exceptions, so you might want to call and see if yours is open on the holiday if heading to the library sounds like a good idea for Monday.

K-12 Schools, Colleges, and Universities

Schools may or may not be open on Columbus Day. Depending on where you live, closing on Columbus Day might not be universal. Make sure to contact your schools in advance to see if class will be in session on the holiday.

Garbage Services

Garbage services may or may not run on Columbus Day. Some service providers don’t operate on federal holidays while others do. Contact your garbage service in advance to see if your pickup day is affected or if other services, such as landfills, are open.

National Parks

National Park locations are open on Columbus Day.

Federal Government

Aside from public security and safety agencies, the federal government closes on Columbus Day.

State and Local Government

State and local government organizations are mainly closed on Columbus Day, though there are some exceptions. For example, in Washington State, state government offices open on the holiday. Additionally, public safety agencies are also operational, though certain visitor-oriented services might not be available.

Mail and Delivery Services

The post office is closed on Columbus Day. There is no mail delivery, and you can’t get help from employees inside the post office. However, self-service post office kiosks and post office boxes located in parts of the building that aren’t secured are still accessible.

UPS is open on Columbus Day. Any service usually available on a Monday is operational.

FedEx is also operating on Columbus Day. However, FedEx Express and FedEx SmartPost have modified service.

When in Doubt, Call to Confirm

If you have any doubts about whether a location is open, it’s always best to call in advance. That way, you can confirm the schedule before you head that direction, ensuring you don’t waste time.

Do you know of anything else that closes on Columbus Day? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Is Target Open Columbus Day 2018?

October 4, 2018 By Amanda Blankenship 2 Comments

Columbus Day is Monday and, while many people will be getting ready for a three-day weekend, others are looking forward to holiday sales. Because it is a federal holiday, there is a gray area as to what will be open and what’s closed. Target is one of America’s favorite retailers and often holds great holiday sales. Those wanting to head out shopping may be wondering, “is Target open Columbus Day?”

Is Target Open Columbus Day?

Yes. Target will be open on Columbus Day. Although it isn’t really considered to be a huge shopping holiday, most retailers will be open on Monday. Most of Target’s deals will center around Halloween and the usual household items. So, what specific deals will Target have on Columbus Day?

Target Columbus Day Deals

Target has deals circulating every week. However, there are no Columbus Day-specific deals. If you want to get a great deal at Target every day, check out the Target REDcard. Shopping with your REDcard will get you an additional 5% off your entire purchase every time you shop at Target.

If you’re looking for specific deals, check your local Target ad for the week of October 8. You can find the ad on online, in your newspaper, or in your local Target.

What is Target’s Holiday Schedule?

Most Target locations are open during normal business hours on most holidays (8 a.m. to 11 p.m.). Outside of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day, Target operates on these hours.

Some holidays may provide extended hours. For instance, Target is open longer on Black Friday. However, Columbus Day is not a holiday that will provide any extended hours (opening at 6 a.m. and closing at midnight). It should also be noted that many locations have shorter hours on Sunday.

Target pharmacies and stores located within Target may open later on regular business days and holidays. The photo center keeps regular store hours. Check out Target’s holiday schedule and store hours here.

Photo: Flickr: Mike Mozart

What’s Open and What’s Closed Columbus Day 2018?

September 30, 2018 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

With Columbus Day fast approaching, many people wonder what’s open on Columbus Day and what’s closed. Since it is a federal holiday, certain organizations choose to close to mark the occasion. If you’re planning on running errands, make sure you know what’s open before you head out.

What’s Open on Columbus Day?

On Columbus Day, you won’t see as many closures as you would on other major holidays, like Christmas. However, not every organization chooses to open, allowing their staff to take a day off in celebration of the holiday.

Here is an overview of what is and isn’t open on Columbus Day.

Retail Stores

Generally, chain retail stores are open on Columbus Day. This includes retailers like Walmart, Target, and Costco, many of whom also hold sales to mark the occasion.

If you go out shopping on Columbus Day, you may find great pricing on remaining summer items, and back-to-school goods may go on clearance. You may also find exceptional deals on shoes as well as a range of home goods.

It’s important to note that small business owners may close their stores on Columbus Day, as they set their own schedules. If you want to shop at a “mom and pop” location, call in advance to make sure they are open.

Grocery Stores

By and large, major grocery stores are open on Columbus Day. Some locations may have limited hours, such as by closing early for the holiday. If you intend to grocery shop on Columbus Day, check with your preferred store to see if they have adjusted their schedule before you head out the door.

Pharmacies and Drug Stores

Chain drugstores, like Rite Aid, Walgreens, and CVS, commonly open on Columbus Day. However, they may be on reduced holiday hours, especially at the pharmacy counter.

Local or independent pharmacies may or may not close for the holiday. Each drug store has their own policies, so call ahead if you were wanting to stop by on Columbus Day.

Gas Stations

Chain gas stations and their convenience stores usually open on Columbus Day, though the store may operate using holiday hours instead of their regular schedule. Similarly, independent gas stations may close their stores for the holiday, though this isn’t always the case.

However, if you use a debit or credit card, you can still pay at the pump at nearly any gas station, even if the store isn’t open.

Restaurants

Nearly all chain restaurants are open on Columbus Day, though some may use holiday hours instead of their regular schedule. Independent restaurants may choose to close in recognition of the holiday.

If you plan to head to a restaurant on Columbus Day, call ahead to confirm that they will be open.

Credit Unions and Banks

Financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, usually close on Columbus Day. You will not have access to a teller at a branch, and phone support is typically unavailable.

There are some exceptions as Wells Fargo, TD Bank, and a few others may choose to open. If you want to handle transactions with a teller, you should call your branch to see if they are not closing on Columbus Day.

Even if your bank isn’t open, you can still use ATMs or bank online. However, transfers and deposits may not go through until the next business day or later.

U.S. Stock Exchanges and Bond Markets

On Columbus Day, the NYSE and the NASDAQ are open. However, the bond market, or SIMFA, will close in recognition of the holiday.

Government Offices – Federal, State, and Local

In most cases, government offices of all kinds close on Columbus Day. However, there are a few exceptions.

For example, Washington State government offices are open on Columbus Day. Similarly, organizations that handle issues of public safety, like police departments and fire stations, don’t close entirely. However, not all customer-oriented services may be available.

National parks also remain open for Columbus Day.

Post Offices

Post offices will close for Columbus Day. There will be no mail delivery, and you cannot receive assistance inside the post office.

However, post office boxes in unsecured portions of the building remain accessible. Additionally, self-service kiosks may also be on-site, allowing you to handle certain activities on your own.

Schools

Schools may or may not be open on Columbus Day, depending on where you live. Unlike many other federal holidays, closing for Columbus Day isn’t universal, so you should contact your area’s schools in advance to see if they will be open.

Did you already know what’s closed Columbus Day? If so, tell us about it in the comments below.

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Photo: Ed Schipul

Is the Post Office Open on Columbus Day 2017?

October 4, 2017 By Alexa Mason 1 Comment

Columbus Day is next Monday. Although you may not know what Columbus Day is all about you should know that it is a Federal holiday and some of your favorite stores and most government businesses will be closed on that day. Columbus Day falls on the second Monday of October each year and this year the holiday falls on Monday, October 9.

United States Postal Service locations are typically open on Mondays. USPS, however, is a government-run business and generally closes its doors on Federal holidays. Will the post office open on Columbus Day?

Is the Post Office Open on Columbus Day?

No. The post office will be closed on Columbus Day. Columbus Day is a Federal holiday and because the post office is part of the Federal government, post offices will observe the holiday and be closed on Monday, October 10. All physical post offices will be closed and there will be no mail delivery.

USPS employees will have the day off on Monday so you will not be able to interact with anyone employed by the postal service. You will be able to use some of the self-service options at your local P.O. location though. Most post offices have drop slots where you can drop off letters and small packages to be processed. If you have a post offices box you will also be able to access your P.O. box on Monday with no problem. Some USPS locations also have weighing machines in the lobby area so that you can purchase and print postage for items you’d like to send on Monday.

If you are curious as to what services will be available to you on Columbus Day it will depend on what services are regularly available to you 24/7. These services vary from location to location. If you have questions about what may be available to you on Columbus Day you may want to call and verify the services that will be available on Monday.

Is the Post Office Open on Columbus Day Weekend?

While post offices will be closed on Columbus Day, will the post office be open over the Columbus Day weekend? Whether or not the post office will be open over the weekend depends on your local office. Most post offices are closed on Sunday, October 8 because post offices are generally closed on Sundays. Some USPS locations are open on Saturdays so if your local post office is usually open on Saturday, it will be open this Saturday, October 7.

Schedules and opening hours vary from location to location. If you are wondering about your local post office Saturday hours contact the office to confirm the hours it will be open over the weekend.

The post office will also be closed on the following Federal holidays for the remainder of this year:

Veterans’ Day: Saturday, November 11, 2017
Thanksgiving Day: Thursday, November 23, 2017
Christmas Day: Monday, December 25, 2017

If you have any questions about your local post office holiday hours or the services that will be available to you, give them a call and ask. Their customer service number is 1-800-275-8777.

Photo: jelm6