You’re staring at an empty charcoal bag and a fridge devoid of hamburger buns. It’s Monday, May 25, 2026. Your first instinct is to hop in the car and hit the nearest warehouse club.
Hold that thought.
If you were planning on a Costco run, you’re out of luck. Unlike most major retailers that see federal holidays as prime time for "Door Buster" deals, Costco has a long-standing tradition of keeping its doors locked on Memorial Day. It’s one of those rare moments where the retail machine actually grinds to a halt for a minute.
Understanding memorial day stores closed isn't just about knowing where to buy hot dogs. It’s about navigating a day where the "rules" of American commerce get a bit weird. Some places are shut tight, others have weird "Sunday hours," and some act like it's just another Monday.
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The Major Players That Lock Their Doors
Costco is the big one. They are famously consistent about this. Whether you need a 40-pack of water or a rotisserie chicken, you won't get it there on May 25. They treat it as a true day off for their staff.
Banks are also a no-go. Since Memorial Day is a federal holiday, the Federal Reserve takes a breather. This means your local Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo branch will have the lights off. Sure, the ATM will still spit out twenties, and your app will let you move money around, but if you need a cashier's check or a human teller, you’re waiting until Tuesday.
The post office? Closed. No mail delivery. No stamps. Even those blue collection boxes won't be emptied until the holiday passes. If you use UPS or FedEx, don't expect a knock on the door either. They generally suspend their standard pickup and delivery services, though their "Critical Express" stuff might still move if you paid an arm and a leg for it.
Retailers that stay open (mostly)
Honestly, most of the big-box world stays wide open. They want your barbecue money.
- Walmart: Usually stays open for regular hours. If yours is a 24-hour spot (though those are getting rarer), expect it to be humming along.
- Target: They’re open, but don’t be shocked if they close an hour or two early. Some locations shift to 8 AM – 8 PM instead of their usual late-night schedule.
- Home Depot and Lowe’s: These guys live for Memorial Day. It’s basically their Super Bowl. They’ll be open and likely crowded with people buying mulch and patio furniture.
- Grocery Chains: Kroger, Publix, and Safeway are generally open. The pharmacy inside, however, might have its own ideas. Often, the store stays open until 10 PM, but the pharmacy tech goes home at 2 PM.
Why Some Stores Choose to Close
It's kinda about company culture. For a place like Costco, closing on Memorial Day is a "perk" they use to attract and keep workers. In a tight labor market, giving people the major holidays off is a massive selling point.
Then you have the government-adjacent sectors. Schools, courts, and the DMV. They are 100% closed. If you have a ticket to pay or a license to renew, don't even bother showing up.
Interestingly, some smaller "mom and pop" shops might close too. In many towns, Memorial Day is seen as a community day, and local business owners might value the parade over the profit. It’s always the local spots that catch you off guard. You assume the coffee shop is open, but you get there and find a handwritten "Back Tuesday" sign taped to the glass.
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Logistics and the "Sunday Schedule" Trap
One thing people always forget: public transit.
If you live in a city like New York, Chicago, or San Francisco, the buses and trains don't just stop. But they do slow down. Most transit authorities switch to a "Sunday or Holiday Schedule."
What does that mean for you? It means that bus that usually comes every 10 minutes might now come every 30. If you’re trying to get to a Memorial Day party across town, check the app first. There’s nothing worse than standing on a hot platform for 40 minutes because you forgot it was a holiday.
Liquor laws and the surprise "No"
Depending on where you live, you might run into "Blue Laws." Some states still restrict the sale of alcohol on holidays or Sundays. Even if the grocery store is open, the wine aisle might be roped off. If you’re in a state with state-run liquor stores (looking at you, Pennsylvania or Utah), those stores are almost certainly on the memorial day stores closed list.
Navigating the 2026 Holiday Weekend
Plan for the "Costco Gap." If you need bulk supplies, get them by Sunday morning. By Sunday afternoon, the aisles will be a war zone of people who realized too late that Monday is a blackout date.
Also, watch out for the pharmacy situation. As mentioned, even if a store like CVS or Walgreens is open 24/7, the actual pharmacist often isn't. If you need a script filled, do it the Friday before.
Realistically, the best way to handle the day is to assume the big chains are open but the services (banks, mail, government) are dead. If you're heading to a specific local restaurant, give them a quick call or check their Instagram. They’re much more likely to pull a last-minute closure than a giant like Target.
Take care of your errands early. Stock up on the essentials before the weekend rush hits its peak. If you find yourself needing a specific service from a bank or a government office, mark Tuesday, May 26, on your calendar as your first available window.