As Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Columbus Day approach, many wonder about the status of local businesses and services on this holiday.
Established as a national holiday by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1934, Columbus Day has been a federal holiday since 1971, observed on the second Monday of October. However, this day is increasingly recognized as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, reflecting a growing movement to rename the holiday due to the historical impact of Christopher Columbus and the consequences of his exploration.
While Columbus Day remains a federal holiday, its recognition varies across the United States. Currently, around 29 states and Washington, D.C. do not observe Columbus Day, with many cities choosing to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day instead. Some states have proclaimed it as an official holiday, while others recognize it informally. Iowa’s Governor Kim Reynolds officially renamed the holiday in 2018. The Biden administration has issued proclamations supporting Indigenous Peoples’ Day for the past three years.
As for local businesses and services this holiday, here’s what you need to know:
Hy-Vee will remain open during regular hours on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Similar hours will apply for Fareway and Walmart, which will also open as usual.
However, postal services will be affected: all post office retail locations will be closed in observance of Columbus Day, which means no mail delivery for homes or offices. Shipping supplies can still be ordered online through the post office’s website.
When it comes to banks, Wells Fargo and Bank of America will be closed for the holiday, while Chase will keep its branches open but will treat online transactions as if it were a regular federal holiday.
This guide aims to provide clarity on what to expect during this holiday.