Banks and post offices will be closed on Memorial Day, as the federal holiday lands on Monday, May 25. The U.S. stock market will also shut for the day, while the Nasdaq and New York Stock Exchange reopen Tuesday, May 26.
The U.S. bond market closed early at 2 p.m. ET on Friday, May 22, and will remain closed on Monday. Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
For shoppers, the day looks very different from the financial calendar. Most grocery chains are expected to keep regular hours, including Kroger, which says on its website that its stores will be open regular hours. Walmart and Food Lion also said their stores will be open regular hours on the holiday.
Some warehouse clubs are changing hours, while others are shutting down completely. Sam's Club will open at 8 a.m. for Plus members and 9 a.m. for Club members, then close at 8 p.m. on Memorial Day. BJ's warehouses will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Costco warehouses, by contrast, will be closed.
Most restaurant chains are also staying open, including McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle, Chick-fil-A, Dunkin and Wendy's. Most national retailers will remain open too, among them Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, IKEA, Target, TJ Maxx and Bass Pro Shop.
The holiday reaches back to the 1860s, when it was originally called Decoration Day and first took shape as a way to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. military. That long history is why Memorial Day still carries weight even as so many stores and restaurants keep business moving around it. But hours and closures can vary by location, so anyone heading out today still needs to check before leaving home.
