Most malls are closed on Thanksgiving Day 2020, which this year falls on November 26. However, all malls resume operations from the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, which sees various retail venues offer discounted prices on a range of products.
But customers can start shopping online ahead of Black Friday, as several major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and several others, have launched their sales early ahead of November 27.
Here, we look at the hours of operation at some of the country's largest malls on Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday.
Mall of America
Minnesota's Mall of America, the country's largest mall with more than 5.6 million square feet of retail space, is closed on Thanksgiving but will be open on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
The Mall of America has issued several safety guidelines amid the ongoing pandemic, such as a mask mandate. "Guests are required to wear a face covering throughout their visits. Children under five years old are exempt.
"Beginning Nov. 21, in accordance with state requirements all indoor dining will be unavailable. During this time, many Mall restaurants and food court tenants will continue to offer food for takeout and delivery, but it cannot be consumed on property.
"Additionally, following the latest guidance of state government officials, and to keep everyone safe, all Mall of America attractions, including Nickelodeon Universe, will be closed temporarily," the company stated.
American Dream
New Jersey's American Dream mall is closed on Thanksgiving, including its retail and dining facilities as well as the Dreamworks Water Park, Nickelodeon Universe, Out of the World Blacklight Mini Golf, Angrybirds Not So Mini Golf Club and indoor ice skating rink venues.
Retail and dining areas will be reopened from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday. See the American Dream website for Black Friday opening times for the mall's other venues.
The American Dream mall reopened its doors on October 1, following a seven-month closure due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Several precautionary measures are in place, including required face coverings and a 25 percent capacity limit.
Roosevelt Field Mall
The Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York is not open on Thanksgiving but will resume operations from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time on Black Friday.
The mall, owned by the Simon Property Group, reopened in July, after remaining closed for months since late March amid the ongoing outbreak. Customers are required to wear face coverings and maintain a social distance during their visit.
Back in late April, the Simon Property Group noted: "Our employees and security officers will actively remind and encourage shoppers to maintain the proper distance from fellow shoppers and workers, and refrain from shopping in groups. Tenants should do the same within their leased spaces," in a memo on its website revealing its reopening plan for nearly 50 of its malls across the country.
"As needed, we will restrict the number of open entrances to the property while complying with local fire code requirements, and have queueing protocols in place to manage traffic.
The memo added: "Each night, the common area of the property will be thoroughly sanitized and disinfected using products that meet or exceed CDC [U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention] guidelines. Each retailer should do the same for their store.
"Additionally, during mall hours, we will regularly sanitize and disinfect high touchpoint areas, including restrooms, seating areas, escalator/stair handrails, trash bins, door knobs and handles, directories, food court tables and chairs, etc. Each tenant should perform the appropriate cleaning of their space," the company said.
South Coast Plaza
California's South Coast Plaza is shut on Thanksgiving but open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time on Black Friday.
"We're extending our center hours for the holiday season to give you more time to shop. Please call our boutiques, restaurants and department stores for their hours, which may be different from center hours. Holiday hours are subject to change," the company noted.
The mall has also implemented safety measures, including a reduction of its normal hours of operation following the ongoing pandemic. "The new hours will be 11am to 7pm, Monday through Saturday, and noon to 7pm on Sunday, until further notice.
"We ask visitors to reserve Mondays and Saturdays, from 11am to 1pm for vulnerable and at-risk members of our community, including seniors and those with underlying medical conditions," the company stated.
All guests are required to wear face coverings and asked to maintain a social distance of at least six feet while shopping. See the South Coast Plaza mall website for more information on safety guidelines.
Aventura Mall
Florida's Aventura Mall noted: "With the exception of Macy's and AMC Aventura 24, Aventura Mall will be closed Thanksgiving Day and will re-open at 8 a.m. [local time] on Black Friday, November 27. Holiday hours run through Friday, Jan. 1."
The mall has also implemented several guidelines including a requirement for all guests and employees to wear face coverings, while hand sanitizing stations and social distancing markers have been placed throughout the mall.
"For the health and safety of our guests, the "Aventura Slide Tower" and "Drinking-Water Fountains" are temporarily closed, the company advised.
See the Aventura Mall website for more information on safety guidelines at the venue.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in travel and health.
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