BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The tryptophan in turkey has long been blamed for making you sleepy, but experts have somewhat debunked that myth over the years.
Tryptophan, as it turns out, can help promote a good mood, they say – and maybe (just maybe?) get you in the mood for some holiday shopping following your Thanksgiving feast.
If you’re ready to head out in advance of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we’ve got a rundown of the stores you’ll find with open doors on Thursday. But fair warning – it’s slim pickings unless you’re heading out for the one item on your grocery list you neglected to pick up ahead of time.
Here are the stores you’ll find open in the Lehigh Valley, with information pulled from various sources:
Big Lots - Big Lots stores were open from 7am to 1pm last year on Thanksgiving Day, and they’re expected to be open again this year. Check the Store Locator for more information on hours of operation.
CVS - According to the Holiday Hours website, CVS and CVS pharmacies will be open. Find your nearest location HERE.
Dollar General - According to Good Housekeeping, stores will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Find your closest one HERE.
Dollar Tree - The Dollar Tree website shows stores could be open on Thanksgiving, though customers are advised to check hours at individual locations. Find them HERE.
Family Dollar - Family Dollar is advertising “Thanksgiving Day only sales” on its website. Check hours by location.
Rite Aid - Rite Aid and associated pharmacies are expected to be open Thanksgiving. Find a nearby location HERE
Starbucks - The coffee chain will apparently be keeping its doors open on Thanksgiving Day, but that could also vary by location.
Walgreens - Most Walgreens stores operated with adjusted hours from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. for Thanksgiving last year, explaining it would stay open for customers’ “last minute essential and healthcare needs.”
Now the real reason we know you're here — a potential mad dash to the grocery store at zero hour to procure a Thanksgiving staple. Cranberry sauce, anyone?
Giant - The company website says Giant locations will be open until 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Find a store HERE.
Wegmans - Thanksgiving Day all area stores will be open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. You've got three locations to choose from — in Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.
Whole Foods - Many stores have modified hours for Thanksgiving. The location on North Krocks Road in Upper Macungie will operate from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On the convenience side of things, you can still get your Wawa Gobbler on Thanksgiving, with locations open 24/7, including major holidays. Its main competitor, Sheetz, also does not close for holidays.
What's closed on Thanksgiving?
You're out of luck if you're looking to stop and shop at any of these places on Turkey Day. The doors of these stores will be closed:
- Aldi
- Apple Store
- Barnes & Noble
- Bed, Bath & Beyond
- Best Buy
- BJ's Wholesale
- Boscov's
- Costco
- Dick's Sporting Goods
- Five Below
- Home Depot
- J.C. Penney
- Kohl's
- Lowe's
- Macy's
- Marshalls
- Michaels
- Nordstrom Rack
- Old Navy
- Sam's Club
- Target
- T.J. Maxx
- Ulta
- Walmart
Black Friday, still considered to be the busiest shopping day of the year, will see many of these stores open early on Friday.
Business owners are also gearing up for Small Business Saturday and would welcome your support this weekend.
