You're standing in your kitchen on a crisp November morning, coffee in hand, wondering if you can finally go grab that new air fryer or if the local pharmacy is even going to let you in the door. It happens every year. Veterans Day is one of those "middle ground" holidays in the United States where the rules for what stays open and what shuts down feel almost random. Unlike Christmas, where the world basically stops, or Labor Day, where it's business as usual for retail, Veterans Day follows a weird hybrid logic.
Are the stores open on Veterans Day? Mostly, yes. But "mostly" is a dangerous word when you're planning a trip across town.
Federal holidays usually mean a day off for government workers, which is great for them, but it can be a headache for you if you need to mail a package or visit the DMV. Since Veterans Day is a federal holiday, the government side of things is a ghost town. Private business, however, is a totally different story. Retailers actually love this holiday because it’s a massive shopping window tucked right between Halloween and the madness of Black Friday.
The Retail Reality: Big Box and Beyond
If you're looking to hit up a major chain, you're almost certainly in luck. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy don't close for Veterans Day. In fact, they usually lean into it. Walk into a Home Depot on November 11th and you'll see a lot of activity, partly because they offer year-round discounts to veterans, but also because it's a prime day for home improvement projects.
Grocery stores are the same. Kroger, Publix, Safeway, and even Whole Foods stay open. They know people are still eating, and honestly, they aren't going to pass up the revenue. The only real "retail" exception you might run into is at the local, independent level. A "Mom and Pop" shop in a small town might decide to close out of respect for the holiday or just to give their small staff a break. But if it’s a brand you recognize from a Super Bowl commercial, the lights are going to be on.
✨ Don't miss: 100 Biggest Cities in the US: Why the Map You Know is Wrong
Costco is the one that trips people up. Since Costco closes for several major holidays—like Labor Day and Memorial Day—people assume they’re closed for Veterans Day too. They aren't. Costco is open. You can get your bulk rotisserie chickens and massive tubs of mayo without a problem.
Where the Doors Are Definitely Locked
This is where the confusion kicks in. While you can buy a TV or a gallon of milk, you cannot mail a letter through the United States Postal Service. They are a federal entity. Their trucks stay parked. If you have a package that absolutely must go out on the 11th, you’re going to have to look at UPS or FedEx. Both of those private carriers generally remain operational on Veterans Day, though they might have slightly modified pickup times for certain services.
Banks are another story. Because the Federal Reserve takes the day off, most major banking institutions like Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America follow suit. Their physical branches will be closed. Your ATM will still spit out cash, and your mobile app will work, but don't expect to sit down with a loan officer.
There are a few "rebel" banks that might stay open in certain regions, but it’s rare. If you have a local credit union, give them a call first. Sometimes they play by their own rules to serve members when the big guys are closed.
🔗 Read more: Cooper City FL Zip Codes: What Moving Here Is Actually Like
The Weird Middle Ground: Restaurants and Service
Most restaurants aren't just open; they are packed. Veterans Day is famous for the "Free Meal" deals offered to those who served. Applebee’s, Chili’s, Golden Corral, and Olive Garden usually have lines out the door because they offer complimentary entrees to veterans and active-duty military.
If you’re a civilian just looking for a quiet lunch, maybe pick a spot that doesn't have a massive military discount, or you'll be waiting an hour for a table. It's a great tradition, but it makes the casual dining sector incredibly busy.
Why the 11th is Different from Other Holidays
Historically, Veterans Day—originally called Armistice Day—was meant to mark the end of World War I. It was about a moment of silence at 11:00 AM. Over time, it shifted from a day of somber reflection to a day of honoring all veterans. Because it isn't a "family gathering" holiday in the same vein as Thanksgiving or Christmas, there hasn't been much pressure on retailers to give employees the day off.
In some states, there are old "Blue Laws" that used to restrict commerce on holidays, but those have mostly evaporated. In Massachusetts or Rhode Island, you might still find some quirky local regulations about when stores can open, but even there, the restrictions have loosened significantly over the last decade.
💡 You might also like: Why People That Died on Their Birthday Are More Common Than You Think
Managing Your Expectations with Government Services
Don't even bother going to the DMV. Don't try to go to the courthouse to pay a ticket. Don't go to the library. These are tax-funded institutions, and they are closed tight. Public schools are a toss-up. In many districts, Veterans Day is a teacher work day or a full holiday for students. In others, they stay open but hold special assemblies. If you’re a parent, you’ve probably already checked the school calendar three times, but if not, check it a fourth.
Trash pickup is another one that gets people. In many cities, sanitation workers get the day off, which pushes your pickup back by twenty-four hours. If your trash usually goes out Monday and the 11th is a Monday, don't be surprised if the truck doesn't roll by until Tuesday.
Practical Steps for Your Veterans Day Outing
Instead of just winging it and hoping for the best, there are a few things you should actually do to avoid a wasted trip.
- Check the "Holiday Hours" on Google Maps, but verify. Google is pretty good at flagging "Hours may differ" for holidays, but it isn't perfect. If it’s a small business, a quick thirty-second phone call saves you a twenty-minute drive.
- Plan for Traffic Near Malls. Because so many people have the day off but the stores are open, shopping centers get unusually crowded. It feels like a Saturday even if it’s a Wednesday.
- Handle Your Banking Early. If you need a cashier's check or something that requires a human teller, get it done on the 10th. If the 11th falls on a Monday, you’re stuck until Tuesday.
- Look for the Discounts. If you are a veteran or a family member, carry your ID. Beyond just the free meals, many retailers like Lowe's or Nike often increase their standard military discount for this specific day.
- Mailing Deadlines. If you’re shipping something time-sensitive, use a private carrier. The Post Office is a no-go, and that includes the self-service kiosks in the lobby in some locations—they might let you print a label, but nothing is moving until the next day.
Basically, the world of commerce stays spinning while the world of bureaucracy takes a breather. You can buy sneakers, but you can't get a passport. You can eat a steak, but you can't mail a letter. It's a weird divide, but as long as you stay away from government buildings and banks, your Monday (or whichever day it falls on) should go off without a hitch.