You’ve probably been there. It’s 11:00 AM on Easter Sunday, the ham is in the oven, and you suddenly realize you forgot the heavy cream for the scalloped potatoes. Or maybe the kids managed to shatter every single plastic egg before the hunt even started. You grab your keys, head to the local Target, and—nothing. The parking lot is a ghost town.
Honestly, finding a store open on Easter has become a bit of a strategic mission lately.
While most major holidays like Labor Day or Memorial Day see retailers clamoring for your business with "blowout sales," Easter is different. It’s one of the few days left on the American calendar where corporate giants actually blink. They hit the brakes. Over the last few years, a massive shift has occurred in the retail landscape. What used to be a coin flip is now a calculated decision by C-suite executives to prioritize "employee well-being"—or, more cynically, to save on labor costs during a day with historically lower foot traffic.
The Big Names That Always Lock Their Doors
If you’re looking for a one-stop shop, you're likely out of luck.
Target is the big one. They’ve been very vocal about staying closed on Easter Sunday. It’s a policy that started gaining real traction across their 1,900+ locations a few years back and hasn't wavered. They aren't alone. Costco, the king of the bulk-buy, is notoriously closed on almost every major holiday, and Easter is no exception. If you need a five-pound tub of potato salad, you better get it on Saturday.
Then there’s TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and HomeGoods. The TJX Companies typically keep their entire fleet of stores shuttered. Same goes for Kohl's and Macy's. Basically, if it’s a department store or a massive apparel chain, don't even bother checking the handle. They’re closed.
ALDI is another interesting case. The German grocer is famous for its efficiency and low overhead. Part of that model involves giving their staff the day off on major holidays. While some other grocery chains might stay open for a half-day, ALDI usually opts for a full 24-hour shutdown.
Where You Can Actually Find a Store Open on Easter
It’s not a total blackout, though. You just have to know where to pivot.
Walgreens and CVS are usually your best bets. Most of these locations stay open, though the pharmacy hours might be wonker than usual. If you need that emergency carton of eggs or a last-minute box of chocolates, these are the reliable stalwarts.
Then you have the grocery players who refuse to cede the day. Kroger and its various subsidiaries (like Ralphs, Fred Meyer, or King Soopers) often keep their doors open. However, here is the catch: they almost always run on reduced hours. You might see a 6:00 PM or 8:00 PM closing time instead of the usual midnight run.
Meijer is another heavy hitter that generally stays open. Because they operate primarily in the Midwest as a "supercenter," they serve as a vital lifeline for people who realize too late that they don't have enough dinner rolls.
- 7-Eleven: Always open. 24/7. No matter what.
- Whole Foods: Most locations stay open, but they often close early. Think 6:00 PM.
- Safeway/Albertsons: Generally open, but check your local store as regional managers sometimes have the final say.
- Starbucks: Most stand-alone cafes are open, though those inside Target stores will be closed because, well, Target is closed.
The Home Improvement Loophole
Need a bag of mulch or a specific bolt? The Home Depot and Lowe’s are usually open on Easter Sunday. It’s weird, right? You can’t buy a new pair of jeans at the mall, but you can absolutely buy a riding lawnmower. These stores tend to follow regular Sunday hours, which are already slightly abbreviated compared to a Saturday.
Why the "Closed" Sign is Trending
There’s a lot of talk about why retailers are choosing to stay shut. It isn't just about religious tradition anymore.
Retail experts like those at Supermarket News have pointed out that the labor market has fundamentally changed. After the chaotic shifts of the early 2020s, retail workers started demanding better work-life balance. Closing on Easter is a relatively low-cost way for a company like Target or Lowe’s to say, "We value our people," without actually having to raise base wages across the board.
Plus, the math often doesn't add up for the stores. Running a 150,000-square-foot building requires a massive amount of electricity, security, and staffing. If the projected sales for Easter Sunday don't significantly clear those overhead costs, it's actually more profitable to just keep the lights off.
The Regional Grocery Factor
Don't ignore the smaller, regional chains. In the Northeast, Stop & Shop usually stays open. Down South, Publix is a different story. Publix is famously closed on Easter. They’ve made it a core part of their brand identity to give their "associates" time with family. It’s a polarizing move—customers hate the inconvenience, but they respect the corporate culture.
In Texas, H-E-B follows the Publix model. They close. It’s a rare day when the Texas titan isn't humming with activity, but Easter is one of them.
Pro-Tips for Navigating the Holiday
If you’re genuinely worried about being caught off guard, do three things.
First, download the app for your local grocery store. Usually, the "Holiday Hours" will be splashed right on the home screen or tucked into the "Store Locator" section at least a week in advance.
👉 See also: BBQ Chicken Meal Sides: What Most People Get Wrong About the Perfect Pairing
Second, check Google Maps on the day of. Google has gotten surprisingly good at marking "Holiday Hours" in red or orange text to warn you that the times might be different. It’s not 100% foolproof, but it beats driving ten miles for a locked door.
Third, look toward "Essential" services. Gas station convenience stores are the unsung heroes of Easter Sunday. If you just need milk, butter, or a bag of ice, the local Shell or BP is going to be there for you. You'll pay a premium—the "convenience tax"—but it saves the day.
The Pharmacy Safety Net
If it’s a medical emergency or a prescription refill, don’t panic. While the "front end" of a CVS or Walgreens might be open, the pharmacy staff behind the counter might be on a different schedule. It is incredibly common for the store to be open 24 hours while the pharmacy closes at 2:00 PM. Call ahead. Seriously. Use the automated system to check if the pharmacist is actually on-site before you make the trek.
What to Expect in 2026 and Beyond
We are seeing a permanent shift. The days of every store being open 365 days a year are likely over. Retailers have realized that the world doesn't end if they close for 24 hours. In fact, the "scarcity" often drives more sales on the Friday and Saturday leading up to the holiday. People panic-buy. They grab two gallons of milk instead of one "just in case."
The logic is simple: keep the store open on Saturday night until the very last second, then reopen early Monday morning. You lose one day of sales but gain a massive amount of goodwill from a tired workforce.
Summary of Actionable Steps
Don't let a closed sign ruin your brunch. If you find yourself needing a store open on Easter, follow this hierarchy of reliability:
- Hit the Pharmacies First: Walgreens and CVS are the most likely to be operational for household basics and snacks.
- Verify Grocery Hours by Noon: If your local Kroger or Meijer is open, they will likely close early. Aim to finish all shopping before 4:00 PM.
- Avoid Malls and Big Boxes: Target, Costco, Best Buy, and Nordstrom will almost certainly be closed. Don't waste the gas.
- Leverage Convenience Stores: For the absolute basics (ice, milk, bread), gas stations are your only guaranteed 24/7 option.
- Check Local "Mom and Pop" Shops: In many cities, independent ethnic grocery stores or smaller bodegas don't follow the corporate holiday calendar and remain open for business as usual.
The most effective strategy is the simplest one: buy your perishables on Thursday and your "forgotten" items on Saturday morning. Easter retail is a shrinking window, and the best way to navigate it is to assume everything is closed and be pleasantly surprised if it isn't.