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what's open on Memorial Day

What’s Open on Memorial Day 2018

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What's open memorial day
Around 41.5 million people plan to travel this weekend — and many of them will face heavy rainstorms that may require some last-minute shuffling of plans. You might find yourself searching for indoor activities as a result — so it’s good to know what’s open on Memorial Day.

Remember that it’s a federal holiday, meaning that all government offices will be closed — and so will banks, post offices, schools and the stock market.

But that doesn’t mean that everything else will be closed this coming Monday, May 28. In fact, many establishments will hold special Memorial Day sales, with deals and freebies for veterans.

While most major chain stores and restaurants will be open — some locally-owned businesses might be likelier not to be open. When in doubt, call ahead to see whether an establishment is open and for what hours.

What’s Open on Memorial Day

Most, if not all, retail stores are open on Memorial Day. Not surprisingly, Walmart is included, along with Costco and Target.

Drug Stores

The major drug store chains, like Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS, will all be open. However, if you frequent a local, independent pharmacy, you may want to confirm their holiday hours on Monday.

Groceries and Convenience Stores

For the most part, grocery stores and convenience stores will be open on Memorial Day. Some may have reduced hours for the holiday, so you’ll want to call ahead to confirm their schedules.

Restaurants

Major chain restaurants will be open on Memorial Day, but locally-owned establishments may be exceptions — you’ll want to call ahead before showing up at one of them that day.

Gas Stations

Most gas stations will be open on Monday, although some locally-owned stations may be closed or have reduced hours for the holiday.

Financial Institutions and Capital Markets

Banks, credit unions, and all U.S.-based investment related entities will  be closed on May 28 — since they observe federal holidays.

But this won’t preclude you from using ATMs and online banking applications. Between the two technologies you can conduct most forms of transactions, although they won’t clear until at least the next business day.

Schools and Libraries

Both public and private schools tend to observe federal holidays like Memorial Day — they won’t be open and kids will get a three-day weekend.

Similarly, libraries will remain closed on Memorial Day. Most are also closed on Sunday, so you’ll want to be sure to make your trip to the library before it closes Saturday.

Government Offices and Postal Services

As previously stated, because Memorial Day is a federal holiday, government offices will be closed at all levels.

That includes Social Security offices, courthouses, and the Department of Motor Vehicles — all closed for the day.

Along with that, there will be no mail delivery and no postal staff on duty Memorial day — although some self-serve post office locations might have their lobbies open for people to mail letters and check P.O. boxes.

The closures include Fedex and United Parcel Service — with the exception of UPS Express Critical service and FedEx Custom Critical.

No matter what your plans are, it is always a good idea to call ahead and confirm a store’s holiday hours before heading out.

Readers, what sort of plans are you making for Memorial Day Weekend?

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What’s Open and What’s Closed Memorial Day 2017?

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what's open and what's closed on memorial day
The weekend of May 26 through May 29, 2017, is Memorial Day weekend. As with many federal holidays, it can get confusing as to what’s open and what’s closed Memorial Day. The United States doesn’t have national holidays, so while federal employees will have Memorial Day off, people working in other sectors may or may not have the day off depending on what the company they work for decides. Since each individual workplace decides whether or not to remain open, it can get quite confusing as to what will and won’t be open. Below you’ll find a list of those places you can expect to be open and closed on Monday, May 29, 2017.

What’s Open and What’s Closed Memorial Day

Retail Stores

Most retail stores are open. Memorial Day has become an event to drive traffic to stores at the beginning of the summer season through Memorial Day sales. Due to this, most retail outlets remain open on Memorial Day. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Macys and Sears will all be open on May 30. The one major retailer which closes its doors for the day is Costco. You can see the list of stores which will be open and closed here.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are open. For those who find they need to stop by their local grocery store to get food on May 29, you’ll be happy to know that all major grocery store chains will be open. It’s important to note that some of the grocery stores will be open for holiday hours, and not their regular Monday hours. If you plan to go to the store in the evening, you may want to call to confirm they will be open when you are planning to go.

Drugstores

Drug stores are open. All three of the major national drugstores (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens) will be open for business on Memorial Day. Most local and independent drugstores should also be open, but you will want to call to confirm and to check their hours.

Federal, State, and Local Government Offices

Government offices are closed. Since Memorial Day is a federal holiday, all government offices at the federal state and local level are closed as long as they are nonessential. Those government entities which are considered vital, such as police departments and fire stations, will remain open.

Stock Markets

Stock markets are closed. While the stock markets don’t close on every federal holiday, the two major stock markets (the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ) will both be closed on Memorial Day.

Banks & Credit Unions

Banks and credit unions are closed. The vast majority of banks and credit unions will be closed on Monday, May 29. There aren’t a few exceptions, but they are far and few between. You can see a complete list here.

US Postal Service

Post office branches are closed. Since the United States Postal Service is part of the federal government, post office branches will be closed on Memorial Day. There will be no mail delivered as well. Both Federal Express and United Postal Service will also be closed to observe the holiday.

Schools

Schools are closed. The vast majority of both public and private schools observe federal holidays. These institutions will not be open in order to observe the holiday.

Libraries

Libraries are closed. Libraries typically observe federal holidays, so most will be closed on May 29.

Garbage Service

Garbage service is closed. For those who typically have their garbage picked up on Monday, that service may not run depending on what city or town you live in. In many cases, garbage service is rescheduled for Tuesday, May 30, but you should check with your local garbage service to confirm.

Restaurants

In most cases, restaurants are open. If you plan to eat out on Memorial Day, you’ll be happy to know that most major chain restaurants will remain open. If you’re planning to go to a local restaurant, you will want to call to confirm that they will be open. Many independently owned restaurants close on Monday as their day off for the week, so keep this in mind.

Gas Stations

Gas stations are open. Those traveling over the Memorial Day weekend should have no problem finding gas. Most gas stations will remain open to cater to the holiday traffic, and if there is one that closes, there should be plenty of others around to fill the void.

What’s Open and What’s Closed Memorial Day 2016?

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Open Closed Memorial Day

The weekend of May 27 through May 30, 2016, is Memorial Day weekend. As with many federal holidays, it can get confusing as to what will and won’t be open on Memorial Day. The United States doesn’t have national holidays, so while federal employees will have Memorial Day off, people working in other sectors may or may not have the day off depending on what the company they work for decides. Since each individual workplace decides whether or not to remain open, it can get quite confusing as to what will and won’t be open. Below you’ll find a list of those places you can expect to be open and closed on Monday, May 30, 2016.

Retail Stores

Most retail stores are open. Memorial Day has become an event to drive traffic to stores at the beginning of the summer season through Memorial Day sales. Due to this, most retail outlets remain open on Memorial Day. Major retailers like Walmart, Target, Macys and Sears will all be open on May 30. The one major retailer which closes its doors for the day is Costco. You can see the list of stores which will be open and closed here.

Grocery Stores

Grocery stores are open. For those who find they need to stop by their local grocery store to get food on May 30, you’ll be happy to know that all major grocery store chains will be open. It’s important to note that some of the grocery stores will be open for holiday hours, and not their regular Monday hours. If you plan to go to the store in the evening, you may want to call to confirm they will be open when you are planning to go.

Drugstores

Drug stores are open. All three of the major national drugstores (Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens) will be open for business on Memorial Day. Most local and independent drugstores should also be open, but you will want to call to confirm and to check their hours.

Federal, State and Local Government Offices

Government offices are closed. Since Memorial Day is a federal holiday, all government offices at the federal state and local level are closed as long as they are nonessential. Those government entities which are considered vital, such as police departments and fire stations, will remain open.

Stock Markets

Stock markets are closed. While the stock markets don’t close on every federal holiday, the two major stock markets (the New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ) will both be closed on Memorial Day.

Banks & Credit Unions

Banks and credit unions are closed. The vast majority of banks and credit unions will be closed on Monday, May 30. There aren’t a few exceptions, but they are far and few between. You can see a complete list here.

US Postal Service

Post office branches are closed. Since the United States Postal Service is part of the federal government, post office branches will be closed on Memorial Day. There will be no mail delivered as well. Both Federal Express and United Postal Service will also be closed to observe the holiday.

Schools

Schools are closed. The vast majority of both public and private schools observe federal holidays. These institutions will not be open in order to observe the holiday.

Libraries

Libraries are closed. Libraries typically observe federal holidays, so most will be closed on May 30.

Garbage Service

Garbage service is closed. For those who typically have their garbage picked up on Monday, that service may not run depending on what city or town you live in. In many cases, garbage service is rescheduled for Tuesday, May 31, but you should check with your local garbage service to confirm.

Restaurants

In most cases, restaurants are open. If you plan to eat out on Memorial Day, you’ll be happy to know that most major chain restaurants will remain open. If you’re planning to go to a local restaurant, you will want to call to confirm that they will be open. Many independently owned restaurants close on Monday as their day off for the week, so keep this in mind.

Gas Stations

Gas stations are open. Those traveling over the Memorial Day weekend should have no problem finding gas. Most gas stations will remain open to cater to the holiday traffic, and if there is one that closes, there should be plenty of others around to fill the void.

Photo: Flickr: JD Hancock