One Major Retailer Says Thanksgiving Closure is Now Permanent

One Major Retailer Says Thanksgiving Closure is Now Permanent

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.

The 10 Best Local Places For Christmas Shopping in WNY The best places for holiday shopping in the Buffalo, NY area.

The Top 20 Places Buffalo Loves to Shop At The places that Buffalo loves to shop at the most!

It’s time to Help! You Can Ring a Bell, Sort Toys or Lift Boxes

COVID-19 cancelled a lot of things last year including many fundraisers for non profit agencies like the Yakima Salvation Army. But things are returning to normal this year and the Salvation Army is hoping for your support this holiday season.

Much of the operating dollars come from red kettles

Lisa Sargent is the Community Engagement Coordinator who says they hope to collect a majority of the money they use for programs and services through more than 20 red kettles that are now at many locations around the Yakima area. She says because of the pandemic they’ve not been able to get the number of volunteers they need at the red kettles which means they’re looking for more volunteers. Get involved by filling a 2 hour shift from 11:00 am-7:00 pm. Each year the Salvation Army raises more than $100,000 through the Red Kettle campaign.

There’s a number of ways you can help the community

You can also give online at salvationarmyusa.org

If you’d like to volunteer to ring a Salvation Army Bell at a Red Kettle this Christmas season sign up at volunteer.usawest.org or call 509 823-1819.

You can also do other things that will help the Salvation Army this holiday season. For example you can help sort and bag toys for families. December 4th, 9:00-12:00 pm December 6-11th, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

Volunteers needed December 17th for food and toy distribution. Shifts available. Some heavy lifting and traffic control work.

LOOK: Here Are the 25 Best Thanksgiving movies of all time

TOP 10: The best holiday TV specials of all time, ranked

Bismarck Tattoo Shop Giving Free Tattoos for Toy Donations

Need a good excuse to get a new tattoo? A Bismarck Tattoo shop has the perfect reason!

‘Tis the season for giving and getting. And right now, you can give to a good cause and in turn, get a lifelong reminder of your kind act. And if you are in need of a new tattoo, there is the perfect cause to support this holiday season!

WHAT: Toys 4 Tatts

WHERE: Resurrection Tattoo .INK

913 Burlington Drive, Suite 3, Bismarck

WHEN: Now through December 20, 2021

What do you need to do for a free tattoo?

Now, through December 20, 2021, Resurrection Tattoo .INK is asking for donations to give to the North Dakota Adult & Teen Challenge. If you donate a $50 gift, you can get a $100 tattoo. If you donate a $100 gift, you can get a $200 tattoo. If you want to donate to Toys 4 Tatts, you call or go to Resurrection Tattoo .INK.

Billie Jean VonPaulk and I messaged about Toys 4 Tatts and she informed me that she was once in recovery at North Dakota Adult and Teen Challenge. She said it is at least a 12-month long program that does not allow participants to work. And, thanks to generous donations, Billie Jean was able to get her son a gift which she says meant the world to her when she got sober. And she’s now been sober five years!

You can help kids get Christmas presents this year with Toys 4 Tatts!

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