You’re standing in the kitchen, half-marinated chicken on the counter, when you realize the propane tank is bone-dry. Or maybe you forgot the one thing that makes a potato salad actually edible. It happens to the best of us every single May. Naturally, the first thought is "is Giant Eagle open on Memorial Day?"
The short answer is yes.
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Giant Eagle usually stays open on Memorial Day. They aren't like Costco or Target, who sometimes throw a curveball with full closures. But—and this is a big "but"—open doesn't always mean "open late." If you’re rolling up at 9:00 PM expecting the full experience, you might find yourself staring at a sliding glass door that refuses to budge.
What Are the Typical Giant Eagle Memorial Day Hours?
Most Giant Eagle locations across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia operate on what they call "modified holiday hours." This isn't a corporate-mandated "everyone closes at 5:00 PM" rule. It’s more of a suggestion that local managers tweak based on how many people are actually buying buns and charcoal in their specific neighborhood.
Usually, you can expect the main grocery store to be open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM.
Some locations might stick to their regular Sunday/Monday schedule, but many pull back the closing time to let their team get home for a burger. Honestly, it's a bit of a gamble if you don't check the specific store locator on their website. I've seen some suburban stores in Pittsburgh stay open until 10:00 PM while smaller ones in rural Ohio shut down by 6:00 PM.
Don't Forget the Pharmacy
The pharmacy is a completely different animal. Just because the lights are on in the produce aisle doesn't mean the pharmacist is there to fill your script. Giant Eagle pharmacies almost always run on a drastically reduced schedule on Memorial Day.
Most of them open around 9:00 AM and close strictly at 3:00 PM.
If you show up at 3:05 PM, you’re out of luck until Tuesday morning. This is a hard cutoff. They don't do "just one more" when it's a federal holiday.
GetGo and Fuel Centers: The Real Lifesavers
If you just need gas, a bag of ice, or a questionable but delicious breakfast sandwich, GetGo is your best bet. Because fuel is considered an essential service, most GetGo locations stay open 24/7 even on Memorial Day.
- WetGo car washes: These usually have shorter hours, often closing around 6:00 PM.
- Made-to-order food: Sometimes the kitchen staff at GetGo goes home early, but the convenience store side stays active.
- Fuel pumps: These are almost always pay-at-the-pump ready all night long.
Why the Confusion Every Year?
People get Memorial Day mixed up with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Giant Eagle made headlines a few years ago by deciding to close all stores on Thanksgiving Day to give employees a break. That was a big shift.
Because of that change, many shoppers assume they might close for Memorial Day too. They don't. Memorial Day is one of the biggest "grilling holidays" of the year. Closing would be leaving money on the table, and Giant Eagle knows you need those Advantage Card deals on T-bone steaks.
Market District vs. Standard Giant Eagle
If you live near a Market District (the fancy version of Giant Eagle with the massive cheese section), they tend to stay open longer. These flagship stores are built for high volume. They often maintain their regular hours or only shave off an hour at the end of the night.
Strategies for a Stress-Free Holiday Run
Waiting until Monday afternoon to shop is a rookie mistake. The stores are usually packed with people who forgot the same three things you did.
- Shop the "Pre-Holiday" window: Friday and Saturday are the busiest. If you go Sunday morning, you’ll find the shelves are restocked and the aisles are relatively empty.
- Check the app: The Giant Eagle app usually updates the specific holiday hours for your "home" store about three days before the holiday.
- Curbside Express: If you’re planning on using Curbside Express on Memorial Day, book your slot at least 48 hours in advance. These slots fill up fast because nobody wants to go inside on a holiday.
What About the Perks?
Memorial Day is a great time to burn through those "myPerks" or "fuelperks+." Often, the weekly ad leading up to the holiday has "bonus perk" items—specifically on things like cases of water, soda, and bulk meat. If you're buying for a crowd, keep an eye on those multipliers. It’s the easiest way to knock a few bucks off your next tank of gas at GetGo.
Actionable Next Steps
Instead of guessing and burning gas, take these three steps to make sure your Memorial Day doesn't involve a locked door.
- Call the Pharmacy Saturday: If you need a refill, don't wait until Monday morning. Call on Saturday to ensure it’s ready for a morning pickup on the holiday.
- Use the Store Locator: Go to the official Giant Eagle website, enter your zip code, and look for the "Holiday Hours" alert that appears on the individual store page.
- Verify Curbside Status: If you see a "Sold Out" sign for pickup times on the app, it’s a good indicator the store is short-staffed or closing early.
Plan for an 8:00 PM closure just to be safe. If you need anything after that, your local GetGo is the only reliable option left on the table.