Don't discount the possibility you'll need to track down an open store on Thanksgiving Day. Allow us to paint a picture.
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It's noontime and everything is perfect. The rustic table decor is on point. The turkey is timed to finish cooking in precisely three hours, meaning it will be hot and fresh and ready to go come dinner time. The pumpkin pie is -- oh no, you forgot the pumpkin pie! Your mother-in-law will be here in less than an hour. And you can't stand to let Sharon see that you've failed. Her voice rings in your head: "Oh, we have no problem hosting Thanksgiving again if it's too much for you to handle." Too much for you to handle? Who does she think she is!?
This leaves you in quite the pickle. You can't bake a pumpkin pie in less than an hour. Grabbing a store-bought pie is your only option. But everywhere is closed on Thanksgiving Day. What are you to do?
Don't despair, my pieless friend. There are actually plenty of stores open on Thanksgiving. Enough that you can almost certainly find somewhere within spitting distance that'll sell you a pie as good as homemade.
Scroll through for a list of stores that will be open on Thanksgiving 2023 (and if all else fails, here's a list of restaurants open on Thanksgiving).
Stores That Will Be Open on Thanksgiving 2023
- ACME: Stores are open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, but pharmacies are closed.
- Albertsons: Most will have shorter hours, but call ahead to confirm.
- Bass Pro Shops: Stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cabela's: Stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- CVS: Open from 8 AM to 10 PM
- Dierbergs: Most stores will open at regular hours.
- Dollar General: Get some last-minute plastic tableware at the General, which will keep its doors open from 7 AM to 5 PM.
- Dunkin': Dunkin' (née Dunkin' Donuts) is serving up hot coffee on Thanksgiving to cooks who have a long day ahead of them. Be sure to check your local store's hours.
- Family Dollar: Stores are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Gordmans: Stores will open with reduced hours, so contact your local store to confirm.
- H.E.B.: Stores will be open from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. The pharmacy will be closed.
- Harris Teeter: All Harris Teeter grocery stores will be open from 6 AM to 2 PM.
- Kroger: Most stores are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Meijer: Stores will be open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
- Old Navy: Most stores will open at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving and stay open through Black Friday.
- Rite Aid: Most stores will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM; they'll also open at 7 AM on Black Friday.
- Safeway: Open in the morning, call the nearest location for hours.
- Save A Lot: Varies by location.
- Sears: Sears gets a headstart on the Black Friday deals by opening at 6 PM on Thanksgiving Day.
- Stop & Shop: Stores in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey remain open with shortened hours. Many stores in Massachusetts and Rhode Island will be closed. Call ahead for pharmacy and pick-up hours.
- The Fresh Market: Store hours will be limited to 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Vons: Many stores will operate from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Walgreens: Most locations are open from 9 AM to 6 PM.
- Wawa: Most locations will open during regular hours.
- Whole Foods: Customers should check their local store for hours.
Stores Closed on Thanksgiving 2023
- Walmart
- Target
- Home Depot
- Costco
- Best Buy
- Kohl's
- Sam's Club
- World Market
Regardless of what last-minute items you may need this Thanksgiving, we're confident you'll be able to find them within a reasonable distance. Good luck out there and happy Thanksgiving!
This post was originally published on November 16, 2020, but has been updated for 2023.
