You’ll Never See This Major Retailer Ever Open on Thanksgiving in WNY Again

2020 and 2021 have not exactly been the most normal years to say the least. The pandemic has caused people to change daily habits and even major retailers to shift focus as the landscape of the country changes.

One major difference we have seen since last year is Thanksgiving. Over the last decade-plus, many major retailers decided to open on Thanksgiving, even as early as Thanksgiving afternoon in some cases.

However, last year saw most major retailers staying closed on Thanksgiving, including right here in Western New York. It looked almost like Thanksgivings from when we were kids, when most everything remain closed.

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2021 looks to have the same feel, but one major retailer went a step further this past week.

WGRZ reports that Target has officially announced that the Thanksgiving closures of 2020 and 2021, will be permanent. That's right, Target will not be open on Thanksgiving Day moving forward.

Target is the first store to do this. The feeling is this could be the spark to get other major retailers to follow in its footsteps. We will see if others such as Walmart, Kohl's and Macy's follow.

It felt so nice to not have stores open on Thanksgiving last year. With how popular online shopping has gotten, I don't know why Thanksgiving Day in-store sales were still a thing; plus, it weakens Black Friday in-stores sales.

The Target and Kohl's at Quaker Crossing Plaza in Orchard Park was a madhouse on Thanksgiving Day from 4 pm, onward, and I vowed to never experience that again. It's best to let retail workers enjoy the holiday and be with family.

Hopefully, other stores follow Target.