To compete with other retailers, many stores have been making themselves available to Black Friday junkies earlier and earlier, spilling over into Thanksgiving Day celebrations. The holiday has become less about giving thanks, and more about shoving people out of your way to snag a television set for 75% off.
While many encourage it by participating in the events, it has outraged others and even sparked some to pass around petitions pleading retail stores to stay closed on the holiday.
REI has recently become a hero to those petitioners. Not only is the brand closing its doors on Thanksgiving, but it will not open on Black Friday either (though workers will still get paid.) An email sent out to the company on Monday reads: “Instead of reporting to work, we’re paying our employees to do what we love most—be outside.”
While REI is the only retailer confirmed to be closing on Black Friday, Thanksgiving-lovers nationwide will be happy to hear that plenty of others are reclaiming the holiday for family time, among them:
- Staples
- GameStop
- Costco
- BJ’s
- Nordstrom
- T.J. Maxx
- Marshalls
- Home Goods
- Sam’s Club
- Home Depot
- Barnes and Noble
- DSW
- J. Jill
- Pier 1 Imports
- Crate and Barrel
- Burlington Coat Factory
- Patagonia
- Sur La Table
- Jo-Ann Stores
- A.C. Moore
- Sierra Trading Post
- Harbor Freight
- At Home
- Von Maur
- Mattress Firm
- Half Price Books