As the United States honors 249 years of independence on this Fourth of July, many businesses and services will be closed, making it essential for citizens to plan ahead.
Historically, the Fourth of July celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and this year, the federal holiday falls on a Friday. With this occasion, many government offices, banks, and various businesses will not be operating, so it’s crucial to verify the status of local establishments before heading out.
For grocery shoppers, major retailers such as Target and Walmart will be open during their usual hours. Most stores under the Kroger umbrella, including Fred Meyer and Ralphs, will follow similar operating hours. However, shoppers should note that Trader Joe’s will close early at 5 p.m., and ALDI will shut its doors at 4 p.m. Costco, on the other hand, will remain closed for the holiday.
In the retail sector, stores like TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls will welcome customers until 8 p.m., while Nordstrom and Macy’s will operate as usual. Dollar stores such as Dollar General will also be open, although their hours may vary.
Pharmacies are still accessible, with CVS operating under partial hours, while Walgreens will generally follow regular hours except for many of its pharmacies. Rite Aid will be available for customers in need.
On the finance front, the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq will observe the holiday, meaning most bank branches will be closed as well. Despite the closures, online banking and ATMs will still be operational.
Postal services will take a break as the United States Postal Service will not deliver or pick up mail on this day. UPS will also suspend services, with the exception of their Express Critical shipment option. FedEx will similarly halt most services, leaving only their Custom Critical options available.
Additionally, most nonessential government offices, including the DMV and public libraries, will not operate on Independence Day.
This annual celebration, filled with fireworks and gatherings, is an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their nation’s history while navigating holiday hours for essential services. Enjoy the holiday responsibly!