The Major Grocery and Retail Chains Closed in NY for Memorial Day 2026

Memorial Day serves as the unofficial kickoff to summer, but because it is an official federal and state holiday, operating hours across New York look completely different than a normal Monday.

Whether you need a last-minute grocery run, a prescription refill, or a beach parking strategy, here is what is open, closed, or operating on a delayed schedule across New York State.

Civic & Financial Institutions (Strictly Closed)

Because Memorial Day is a federal holiday, all civic infrastructure hits pause simultaneously.

Government Offices: All federal, state, county, and local municipal buildings, including the DMV and local courthouses, are closed.

Mail & Shipping: The United States Postal Service (USPS) will not deliver regular mail, and post office counters are closed. UPS and FedEx are operating on heavily reduced holiday schedules.

Banks & Wall Street: Financial institutions are dark because the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is closed. The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and Nasdaq are also closed.

Schools & Libraries: All public schools, SUNY, and CUNY campuses are closed. The New York Public Library system and municipal libraries statewide are closed.

Grocery and Major Retail Store Hours

While most retail establishments stay open to capture holiday traffic, one major warehouse giant stands out by shutting its doors entirely.

Costco is Completely CLOSED: This is the most important exception to remember. All Costco warehouses across New York are shut down entirely for the holiday.

Major Grocery Chains (OPEN): Wegmans, Tops, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods are open standard operating hours for your last-minute cookout needs.

Aldi (REDUCED HOURS): Aldi locations are open, but most stores will wrap up operations early and close their doors at 6:00 p.m.

Big Box Retailers (OPEN): Target and Walmart remain open for normal Monday business hours.

Home Improvement (OPEN): Home Depot and Lowe’s are fully open. Expect massive crowds here as homeowners rush to grab soil, plants, and mulch before the summer heat hits.

Mixed Hours: Pharmacies & Public Transit

Do not assume your local essentials are operating normally. Two areas require a double-check before you leave the house:

Pharmacy Counter Restrictions: While major chains like CVS and Walgreens keep their front retail aisles open for sunscreen and snacks, their actual pharmacy counters are a different story. Most Walgreens pharmacy departments are closed on Memorial Day unless the location is a designated 24-hour hub.

Public Transportation Slowdowns: MTA (Subway, Buses, LIRR, Metro-North): Operating strictly on a Sunday schedule. Expect longer wait times between trains and buses.

Upstate Transit Systems (NFTA, RTS, CDTA): Running on holiday or Sunday schedules with significantly reduced route frequencies.

Get our free mobile app

Parks, Beaches, and the "Google Maps" Trap

Memorial Day officially opens swimming season at New York State Parks and coastal beaches. If you are heading to major hubs like Jones Beach or Robert Moses, parking lots routinely fill to maximum capacity before 12:00 p.m. Plan to arrive early to avoid being turned away at the gate.

Holiday Tech Warning: Google Maps and third-party navigation apps are notoriously slow to update real-time holiday hours for local businesses. To avoid a wasted trip across town, check a business's app or call ahead to verify their local pharmacy counter closing times.