Have you ever started to cook an elaborate dinner only to realize you forgot to purchase an important ingredient from the grocery store? It happens to the best of us.
However, if you need to make a last-minute cranberry sauce run on Thanksgiving, you might find it difficult to locate an open store.
Due to colonial-era laws, Massachusetts grocery stores cannot legally open on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year.
And, while smaller convenience stores are technically allowed to open, some might still opt to close in observance of the holiday. You should check a shop’s hours or call ahead before heading over.
Here’s what to know about Massachusetts grocery stores on Thanksgiving.
Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in MA?
In Massachusetts, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving, as it is a restricted holiday under the state’s “Blue Laws.”
That means that stores like Stop & Shop, Big Y, Roche Bros., Market Basket, Hannaford, Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Price Rite, and Whole Foods, will all be closed on Nov. 27 this year.
Liquor stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving.
More: Are liquor stores open on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts? Colonial-era blue laws still apply
Why aren’t Massachusetts grocery stores open on Thanksgiving?
Grocery stores in Massachusetts are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day due to “Blue Laws,” which have Puritan influences and date back to the colonial days.
Massachusetts’ “Blue Laws” dictate which businesses can legally open on Sundays and certain holidays. And Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the restricted holidays for grocery stores, according to the state.
Which businesses are allowed to open on Thanksgiving? Convenience stores?
Some businesses, like gas stations, restaurants, and pharmacies, are allowed to open on Thanksgiving.
You also might be able to grab a couple groceries from a small convenience store. According to the “Blue Laws,” food stores that don’t have more than three employees, including the owner, working at one time can open on Thanksgiving.
However, many shops still close on certain holidays to give employees time with their families. It’s best to call ahead and check.
Melina Khan of USA TODAY and Margie Cullen of the USA Today Network contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Are grocery stores in MA allowed to be open on Thanksgiving?
