Major Retail Stores Open and Closed for Thanksgiving 2021 in Boise

For years, it seemed like the official kick-off of Christmas shopping season was creeping earlier into Thanksgiving Day. The COVID-19 pandemic radically changed the way retailers felt about opening their doors on Turkey Day. 

In 2019, a handful of retailers started their door buster sales as early as 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Others like Target, Best Buy and Walmart waited just long enough for shoppers to dust off that last helping of pumpkin pie before opening their doors at 5 or 6 p.m.

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In 2020? None of those retailers unlocked their doors on Thanksgiving, acknowledging that traditional holiday shopping leads to large crowds and long lines, something considered a danger to public health thanks to COVID-19. It also gave exhausted retail employees and opportunity to unwind a little bit and enjoy time at a small family dinner before jumping right back into a crazier than normal holiday shopping season.

After receiving positive feedback from both employees and shoppers for that decision, many have decided to take the same approach in 2021. Here's a look at what some of the major retailers in and around Boise have decided to do.