Honestly, there is nothing more annoying than driving all the way to the post office or your local credit union only to find those heavy glass doors locked tight. You stand there, peering through the reflection, seeing the lights on but nobody home. It’s a universal frustration. Most people searching for who is closed today are usually caught in that weird limbo between a federal holiday and a "normal" business day. It happens every time Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, or Juneteenth rolls around.
Today is Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Because it's a Saturday, the list of who is closed is actually pretty standard, but there is a twist. We are currently sitting right in the middle of the birthday weekend for Martin Luther King Jr. While the actual "holiday" observed by the federal government is Monday, January 19, many people get confused about whether the Saturday prior affects business hours.
The Federal Reality of "Closed"
Federal holidays are the heartbeat of these closures. When the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) marks a day as a legal public holiday, it triggers a massive domino effect.
Non-essential government offices? Shuttered.
Federal courts? Locked up.
The post office? Usually, the counter is closed, though sometimes the kiosks in the lobby still let you buy a stamp if you’re lucky.
But here is the thing: Saturday isn't a federal holiday. However, because it’s a weekend, your local Social Security office or the DMV was already going to be closed anyway. The real question for a Saturday is usually about banks and the mail.
Banks: The "Maybe" Category
Most people assume banks follow the federal calendar exactly. They mostly do. But Saturdays are different. Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo often keep limited Saturday hours (like 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM). Since the holiday is technically Monday, these branches are largely open today.
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However, don't bet your mortgage payment on it without checking the specific branch. Some smaller community banks or credit unions in rural areas treat the entire holiday weekend as a break. They value that three-day window for staff. If you're looking at a screen wondering who is closed today regarding your money, the ATM is your best friend, but the person behind the glass might be at home.
The Post Office and Delivery Services
UPS and FedEx are the rebels of the holiday world. They don't always play by the government's rules. Today, USPS will deliver mail and packages because it is a standard Saturday. They won't stop until Monday.
FedEx Office locations usually stay open, though their Express shipping might have some modified routes. If you are waiting for a package, today shouldn't be the day it gets stuck in a warehouse. Monday is when the silence hits the mailboxes.
Why Schools Are a Different Beast
School districts are a law unto themselves. While most public schools follow the federal calendar, many private institutions or universities utilize "bridge days."
You’ll often find that schools are closed today for any extracurriculars or administrative tasks because they’ve extended the MLK weekend to include the preceding Friday or the following Tuesday for "professional development." It’s basically a way for teachers to catch their breath. If you were planning on dropping off paperwork at the registrar, you’re probably out of luck.
Retail and Restaurants: The Open Door Policy
Retailers almost never close.
Unless it’s Christmas or Thanksgiving, Target and Walmart are going to be open. They want your money. In fact, holiday weekends like this one are prime time for "White Sales" (linens and towels) or clearance events.
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Even on the actual holiday Monday, these places stay open. The only exception? Small, "mom and pop" boutiques. Many independent business owners use federal holidays—or the Saturdays attached to them—to take their own vacations. If it’s a local sourdough bakery or a specialized knitting shop, check their Instagram. They usually post a frantic Story about being closed five minutes before they actually lock up.
The Stock Market: A Weekend Standard
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are closed. But they are closed because it's Saturday. The market doesn't trade on weekends.
The interesting part is what happens on Monday. The markets will remain closed on January 19th. If you’re a day trader or just someone nervously watching their 401k, you’ve got a long wait until Tuesday morning for any action. This creates a "long weekend" for the financial sector, which often leads to some volatility when the opening bell finally rings on Tuesday.
Public Services and Utilities
Need to pay a water bill in person? Forget it.
City Hall is closed.
County clerks? Gone.
Most municipal services operate on a strict Monday-Friday schedule, and they are the first to observe any holiday-related shifts. Garbage pickup is a big one people miss. Usually, if a holiday falls on a Monday, the entire week’s schedule shifts by one day. Since today is Saturday, your trash pickup shouldn't be affected yet, but expect your Monday or Tuesday pickup to be delayed next week.
Logistics and Infrastructure
The world doesn't actually stop, even if the "offices" are closed. Air traffic controllers, hospital staff, and power plant operators are working right now.
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Infrastructure never sleeps.
The confusion about who is closed today usually stems from the "service" layer of society—the people who help you with paperwork, loans, or mail. The "utility" layer—the people who keep the lights on and the planes flying—never gets the day off.
Practical Steps to Verify a Closure
Don't just trust a Google Maps "Hours might differ" warning. That's a generic algorithm guess.
- Check the "Last Updated" on Yelp: Believe it or not, local users are often faster than the business owners at updating holiday hours.
- Call—But Don't Just Listen for a Ring: Many businesses don't change their voicemail for a one-day closure. If a human doesn't pick up within four rings, they aren't there.
- Use the App: Large chains like Starbucks or CVS will update their "Mobile Order" availability in real-time. If you can't place an order in the app, the doors are locked.
- The "Social Media" Rule: If a local business hasn't posted in 24 hours on a holiday weekend, there’s a 50/50 chance they decided to head to the lake.
Moving Forward
Stop by the ATM now if you need cash for the weekend, as some branch lobbies might have restricted access starting tonight. If you have a package that absolutely must be postmarked before Tuesday, get to a FedEx Office or a UPS Store within the next three hours.
Check your local city government website for the "Holiday Trash Schedule" to see if your bins need to go out on a different day next week. Most importantly, if you're planning a trip to any government building like the Social Security office or the DMV, write off any plans until Tuesday morning. They are effectively "gone" until the holiday cycle clears.