You’re standing in the parking lot. It’s 8:45 AM. You see the big red sign, but the doors are locked tight. We’ve all been there, peering through the glass like a hopeful puppy while a confused employee vacuuming the rug ignores us. Understanding the opening hours for Burlington Coat Factory is actually trickier than you’d think because "Burlington" isn't a monolith anymore.
Since they dropped "Coat Factory" from their primary branding to just go by Burlington, their strategy changed. They’re basically a treasure hunt now. And like any good hunt, the gates don’t always open when you expect them to.
The standard rhythm of the rack
Generally speaking, most Burlington locations operate on a fairly predictable schedule, but "standard" is a loose term in the retail world of 2026. Most stores open their doors at 9:00 AM or 9:30 AM from Monday through Saturday.
Sundays are different. Almost always. You’ll usually see a slightly later start, often 10:00 AM.
But here is the kicker.
Closing times vary wildly based on the "vibe" of the neighborhood. In high-traffic urban centers or busy suburban power centers, these stores stay open late. We’re talking 11:00 PM or even midnight during peak seasons. If the store is tucked away in a dying mall? They might pull the gate at 9:00 PM sharp.
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Why you can't trust the map 100%
Google Maps is great, but it’s not infallible. I’ve seen countless instances where a store changed its hours due to staffing shortages or local mall regulations and didn't update the digital listing for weeks.
Local laws also play a huge role. Take New Jersey, for example. If you’re heading to a Burlington in Bergen County, don’t bother showing up on a Sunday. Blue Laws are still very much a thing there, and the store will be dark while the rest of the world is out shopping. It’s a weird quirk that catches travelers off guard every single time.
Honestly, the best way to be sure is the "Old School" method. Call them. Or, check the official Burlington store locator. Their internal database is tied to their payroll and scheduling systems, making it way more accurate than a third-party search engine.
Seasonal shifts and the holiday chaos
When the holidays hit, the opening hours for Burlington Coat Factory go out the window. It’s pure chaos. Starting in mid-November, they lean hard into the "late-night" crowd.
During the week of Christmas, don't be surprised to find stores staying open until 1:00 AM or later. They want to capture every last dollar from the frantic parents searching for a half-priced North Face jacket or a set of pots and pans for a niece they forgot to shop for.
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- Black Friday: Usually opens extremely early—think 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM.
- Christmas Eve: They usually close early, around 6:00 PM, to let staff go home.
- Christmas Day: Every single location is closed. Period.
- New Year's Day: Usually open, but often with "Sunday hours" (10:00 AM to 8:00 PM).
It's a marathon for the employees. If you’re shopping at 11:45 PM on a Tuesday in December, be kind. The person at the register has likely been there since mid-afternoon and has dealt with three different people trying to return used sneakers.
The best time to actually go
If you care about more than just the door being unlocked, timing is everything.
If you want the "fresh" stuff, you go Tuesday or Wednesday morning. Right at opening. That’s when the trucks have been unloaded and the new markdowns are hitting the floor.
The weekends are a nightmare. By 2:00 PM on a Saturday, the shoe department looks like a literal war zone. Boxes are everywhere. Sizes are mismatched. If you’re looking for a peaceful shopping experience, the opening hours for Burlington Coat Factory that matter most are those first two hours of the day.
A note on the "Coat Factory" legacy
People still call it the Coat Factory. It’s ingrained in our brains. But since the company pivoted to a pure off-price model (similar to Marshalls or TJ Maxx), they’ve optimized their hours to match those competitors. They aren't just selling wool overcoats anymore; they’re selling home decor, baby gear, and pet supplies.
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This means they have to stay open as long as the grocery store next door does. They want that "after-work" foot traffic. If you work a 9-to-5, you’ve usually got a solid three-to-four-hour window to shop after you clock out.
Final reality check for shoppers
Don't assume the hours at the Burlington in the city are the same as the one in the suburbs. Rent is higher in the city, and the foot traffic stays consistent late into the night, so those stores almost always stay open later.
Specific things to check before you leave the house:
- Is it a holiday?
- Is it a "Blue Law" county?
- Is the store located inside a mall with its own closing time? (If the mall closes at 8:00 PM, Burlington usually has to close too, even if their standalone stores stay open until 10:00 PM).
The most consistent schedule you'll find is 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. That covers about 80% of their 1,000+ locations.
Next Steps for Your Shopping Trip
Before you jump in the car, pull up the Burlington website and enter your specific zip code. If you're planning a big haul, aim for a Tuesday morning arrival at 9:15 AM to catch the restocked racks. For those looking for extreme discounts, check the "End of Season" clearance sections which are typically reorganized during the quiet late-night hours on Sundays. Grab a cart, check the zippers on those jackets, and make sure you've got your phone ready to compare prices—but most importantly, make sure the lights are actually on before you walk to the door.