are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving? 5 Essential Facts 2025

The Truth About Hardware Store Availability on Thanksgiving

Quick Answer: Are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving?

• Major Hardware Chains (CLOSED): Most national hardware retailers
• Independent Hardware Stores: A few may be open with limited hours
• Online Ordering: Available, but no in-store pickup until after Thanksgiving
• Emergency Alternatives: Some convenience stores carry basic hardware items
• Planning Ahead: Best option is to prepare before the holiday

That moment when your toilet starts overflowing or your oven breaks down just as the turkey is ready to go in – it’s no wonder “are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving” becomes such a pressing question for many homeowners.

Unfortunately, if you’re hoping to dash out for an emergency plunger or replacement part, you’ll find most doors locked tight. Virtually all major hardware chains now observe Thanksgiving as a full closure day. Most national hardware retailers close all their U.S. locations, giving their teams the day off.

This represents a meaningful shift in retail culture. When you consider that major hardware retailers give up millions in potential daily revenue by closing on Thanksgiving, it speaks volumes about how retailers have come to value employee family time over sales figures.

For most of us, Thanksgiving has joined Christmas as one of just two days each year when finding an open hardware store becomes nearly impossible. If you absolutely cannot wait until Black Friday for those supplies, your best options are limited but not completely non-existent:

First, try calling any locally-owned, independent hardware stores in your area – a few may maintain limited holiday hours. Second, check convenience stores or pharmacies that remain open, as they often stock basic hardware necessities. Third, you can always place online orders, though you’ll need to wait until after the holiday for delivery or pickup.

The helpful team at Lowcountry Ace understands that while family gatherings are precious, home emergencies don’t take holidays. That’s why we encourage our Charleston neighbors to think ahead about potential needs before our Thanksgiving closure. A little preparation can prevent that mad scramble for an open store when you should be enjoying pumpkin pie instead!

Are Any Hardware Stores Open on Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Day has become a time when hardware store aisles across America fall silent. This industry-wide closure represents a shift from past decades when retailers competed to capture holiday shoppers.

National hardware chains now firmly close all locations for the entire day. For these retail giants, this means thousands of stores with darkened windows and empty parking lots that would normally serve millions of customers.

Even independently-owned hardware stores, including most Ace Hardware locations, have accepted this holiday tradition. While these local shops have the freedom to set their own hours, the overwhelming majority choose family time over sales figures on this particular Thursday.

This collective decision to close shop on Thanksgiving stems from several thoughtful considerations:

Labor laws in many states require special holiday pay structures, making staffing more complex. More importantly, retailers have recognized that employee well-being deserves priority—allowing team members to enjoy uninterrupted time with loved ones around the dinner table.

Interestingly, the revenue impact of closing has proven less significant than once feared. Many hardware retailers have found that the goodwill generated among staff and customers actually strengthens their business in the long run. As consumer expectations have evolved, most shoppers now plan their hardware needs around this predictable closure.

Quick Answer: are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving?

If you’re wondering “are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving?” the straightforward answer is that you’ll find almost all hardware stores with their doors firmly closed.

This includes nearly all hardware retailers nationwide, from major chains to local stores. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation, the trend of closing on Thanksgiving has grown significantly in recent years across the retail sector.

The rare exceptions might be a handful of independently-owned neighborhood hardware stores that march to their own drum, or perhaps the hardware sections within certain grocery chains that remain open. Some emergency service providers might also offer limited access to essential repair supplies for true crises.

Here in Charleston, all Lowcountry Ace Hardware locations observe the holiday closure. We believe our team members deserve to enjoy their turkey and stuffing without worrying about mixing paint or cutting keys!

Why “are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving” is such a common search

The surge in people searching “are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving” reflects our changing retail landscape and homeowner habits.

Since 2020, the pandemic triggered policy shifts that permanently altered holiday shopping patterns. Many stores that once opened their doors on Thanksgiving have permanently changed course, leaving shoppers uncertain about what to expect each year.

Thanksgiving also happens to be prime time for Black Friday preparation. Many homeowners use the day off to hang Christmas lights, install decorations, or tackle those nagging home repairs before holiday guests arrive—only to find they’re missing crucial supplies.

As one Charleston customer shared with the helpful team at Lowcountry Ace: “Last Thanksgiving, our kitchen sink decided to start leaking right as we were preparing the turkey. We spent an hour driving around looking for an open hardware store before realizing they were all closed. Now I always keep basic plumbing supplies on hand before any holiday.”

This story highlights the uncomfortable truth about household emergencies—they don’t observe holidays! Plumbing disasters, electrical issues, and broken furnaces seem to have an uncanny knack for striking precisely when stores are closed and service professionals are unavailable.

The lesson? A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to holiday home maintenance. And if you’re in the Charleston area, we recommend stopping by Lowcountry Ace a day or two before Thanksgiving to stock up on any essentials you might need during the holiday.

Which Hardware Stores Are Closed—and Why

The trend of hardware stores closing on Thanksgiving Day reflects broader shifts in retail policy that have accelerated since the pandemic. Major retailers have increasingly prioritized employee well-being over potential holiday sales revenue.

Most national hardware retailers, which operate thousands of stores nationwide, close all locations on Thanksgiving Day. This decision costs these companies millions in daily revenue but has become a cornerstone of their employee-focused policies.

Similarly, other major hardware retailers close all stores on Thanksgiving Day, with most reopening early (typically 6 a.m.) on Black Friday for those eager to start their holiday shopping.

Ace Hardware stores, while independently owned and operated, generally follow this same pattern. The cooperative structure of Ace allows individual store owners some flexibility, but the vast majority choose to close on Thanksgiving Day.

The reasons behind these closures include:

• Corporate values alignment: Companies increasingly emphasize family time and work-life balance in their corporate cultures
• Pandemic legacy: Many retailers that closed during the 2020 pandemic found that Thanksgiving closures were well-received by both employees and customers
• Staffing challenges: Maintaining adequate staffing levels on major holidays has become increasingly difficult
• Safety considerations: Reduced holiday staffing can create security and safety concerns
• Shifting shopping patterns: The rise of online shopping has reduced the urgency of in-store holiday shopping

As one retail analyst noted, “The tradition of Thanksgiving Day shopping has given way to a new tradition of Thanksgiving Day family time, with retailers recognizing that the goodwill generated among employees and customers outweighs the potential single-day revenue.”

For more information about retail holiday trends, you can visit the American Retail Association’s holiday shopping guide, which provides comprehensive data on store closures and consumer behavior during major holidays.

Exceptions: Local & Independent Hardware Options

While the big chains have their “closed” signs firmly in place on Thanksgiving, there’s still a glimmer of hope for those desperate DIYers facing a holiday hardware emergency. Local and independent stores occasionally march to the beat of their own drum.

Neighborhood hardware co-ops and family-owned shops sometimes make different choices than their corporate counterparts. The friendly owner of that corner hardware store might decide to open for a few hours to help neighbors in a pinch. These decisions typically reflect:

The unique character of the community they serve
How many customers have asked about holiday availability
Whether the owner and employees are willing to work limited hours
Local traditions that might differ from national retail patterns

If you find yourself staring at an unfinished project or unexpected repair on Thanksgiving Day, here’s your game plan:

Call before you drive. Even if a store normally opens on holidays, Thanksgiving might be different. A quick phone call can save you a wasted trip.

Check their social media. Many smaller retailers post their holiday hours updates on Facebook or Instagram, especially for major holidays.

Ask about abbreviated schedules. Some independent stores might open for just a few morning hours (7-10 am) to help with emergencies before heading home to their own celebrations.

Here at Lowcountry Ace Hardware, we understand the importance of being there for our Charleston neighbors. While we do close on Thanksgiving to give our team members well-deserved family time, we’re open regular hours the day before and after to help you prepare or recover from any holiday project situations.

Need to find your closest Lowcountry Ace location? You can always Find Your Nearest Ace Hardware Store: Locations & Hours on our website.

“are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving” at the neighborhood level

When it comes to answering “are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving” in your specific neighborhood, the reality is that local factors create a patchwork of availability across the country.

Geography plays a surprising role in holiday business hours. Stores in the Northeast often face stricter “blue laws” governing holiday commerce than those in Southern states. A hardware store in Massachusetts is much more likely to be closed than one in Florida.

City regulations sometimes enter the picture too. Some municipal ordinances restrict certain types of businesses from operating on major holidays, while others leave it entirely to the business owner’s discretion.

The urban-rural divide also influences Thanksgiving availability. Hardware stores in farming communities sometimes maintain limited holiday hours because they’re essential service providers for agricultural customers who can’t put their operations on hold.

In our Charleston community, most hardware retailers—including all Lowcountry Ace Hardware locations—observe the Thanksgiving holiday with closed doors. We’ve found this approach works best for both our team members and customers.

As Jenny, one of our regulars at the Riverland Market location on Folly Road, told us last week: “I’ve learned my lesson about holiday projects! Now I stop by Lowcountry Ace the weekend before Thanksgiving to stock up on anything I might need. The helpful team at Lowcountry Ace always reminds me about things I would have forgotten.”

Online & Curbside Alternatives for Thanksgiving Day

While physical hardware stores may be closed on Thanksgiving, the digital world never takes a holiday. Online alternatives provide some options for those in need of hardware supplies, even if immediate fulfillment isn’t available.

Most major hardware retailers, including Ace Hardware, maintain fully functional e-commerce sites that accept orders 24/7, including on Thanksgiving Day. While you won’t be able to pick up your items until stores reopen (typically on Black Friday), placing your order online can:

1. Secure high-demand items before they sell out
2. Allow you to take advantage of any online-only holiday promotions
3. Ensure your items are ready for pickup first thing when stores reopen
4. Give you time to research and compare products thoroughly

For Lowcountry Ace Hardware customers in the Charleston area, our online ordering system remains operational throughout the Thanksgiving holiday. Orders placed on Thanksgiving will be processed when we reopen, with our buy-online-pickup-in-store option available as soon as we open our doors on Friday morning.

Digital gift cards are another option for those looking to give the gift of hardware during the holiday season. These can be purchased online at any time and delivered instantly via email, making them a perfect last-minute gift option even when stores are closed.

For more information about our regular business hours and services, please visit More info about Ace Hardware Business Hours.

How to Confirm Your Local Store’s Holiday Hours

When you’re wondering “are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving,” the last thing you want is to drive across town only to find locked doors and an empty parking lot. Trust me, we’ve all been there! Thankfully, there are several reliable ways to check if your local hardware store will be welcoming customers on Turkey Day.

Store Locator Tools

Most hardware retailers now offer convenient online store locators that take the guesswork out of holiday planning. These user-friendly tools let you simply enter your ZIP code or city name to find the closest locations. The real magic happens when you click on a specific store – that’s where you’ll find the holiday hours, contact information, and sometimes even real-time updates about special closures.

For Charleston residents, you can quickly check our holiday schedule using the Lowcountry Ace Hardware store locator. It’s updated regularly to reflect any changes to our Thanksgiving and Black Friday hours.

Customer Service Lines

Sometimes the old-fashioned approach works best – just pick up the phone! A quick call to your local hardware store is the most reliable way to confirm their Thanksgiving status. Our friendly team at Lowcountry Ace is always happy to answer questions about our holiday schedule and help you plan your shopping accordingly.

“I always recommend calling ahead on holidays,” says one of our Charleston store associates. “It takes just a minute and saves so much frustration compared to driving all the way here only to find we’re closed.”

Social Media Updates

If you’re already scrolling through your phone, why not check your local hardware store’s social media pages? Many retailers, including our Lowcountry Ace Hardware locations, post timely updates about holiday hours on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Following your local store gives you the inside scoop on not just hours, but also any special events or promotions happening around the holidays.

In-Store Signage

Next time you’re in the store, take a quick glance at the entrance. Most hardware retailers post their upcoming holiday hours prominently near the doors or checkout counters in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. At our Riverland Market location on Folly Road, we make sure our holiday schedules are clearly visible so our James Island and Folly Beach customers can plan accordingly.

Real-Time Alerts

For the tech-savvy shopper, many hardware retailers now offer text or email notifications about special hours and events. Signing up for these alerts means you’ll never be caught by surprise when holiday schedules change. It’s like having a friendly neighbor who always knows what’s open!

The helpful team at Lowcountry Ace understands that clear communication about our holiday schedule matters to our Charleston community. Whether you’re planning a Black Friday project or dealing with an unexpected Thanksgiving repair, knowing exactly when we’ll be open saves you time and frustration. We work hard to keep all our customers informed about our holiday hours through multiple channels – because that’s what being a good neighbor is all about.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thanksgiving Hardware Shopping

Do hardware stores ever run 24-hour locations on Thanksgiving?

Unlike some pharmacies or convenience stores that keep their lights on around the clock, hardware stores take a different approach to Thanksgiving. No major hardware chains maintain 24-hour service on this family-focused holiday. Even locations that normally stay open late will have their doors firmly closed and lights off.

The industry has collectively decided that Turkey Day is for families, not for selling hammers and nails. The helpful team at Lowcountry Ace supports this tradition, believing that both our team members and customers benefit from taking this special day to connect with loved ones.

When do most hardware stores reopen after the holiday?

After the turkey leftovers are safely tucked away in the refrigerator, hardware stores across the country begin reopening their doors. Many large retailers greet the Black Friday shopping rush with early hours—often around 6 a.m.—while others simply return to their regular schedule.

Here in Charleston, our Lowcountry Ace Hardware locations reopen with our normal hours on Black Friday. We’ll be fresh and ready to help with whatever post-Thanksgiving projects you have in mind, whether it’s hanging holiday decorations or fixing that drawer that’s been sticking since before the relatives arrived.

Can I place an online order for same-day pickup on Thanksgiving?

The digital world never sleeps, even on Thanksgiving. While you can certainly visit our website and place orders while enjoying your pumpkin pie, same-day pickup isn’t possible because physical stores are closed. Think of it as planning ahead—orders placed on Thanksgiving will be waiting for you when we reopen on Black Friday.

For our Charleston neighbors, Lowcountry Ace Hardware’s online ordering system stays operational throughout the holiday. Feel free to browse and order on Thanksgiving Day, and we’ll have your items ready for pickup when we welcome you back the following morning.

Many customers tell us they appreciate this flexibility—they can shop from the comfort of their couch during football games or after the big meal, then pick up their items when we reopen without having to search the aisles.

If you’re wondering about specific holiday hours or services at our Charleston locations, our website has all the details on Is Ace Hardware Open on Thanksgiving? to help you plan accordingly.

Conclusion

The search for “are any hardware stores open on thanksgiving” reflects something we all understand—home emergencies and project needs rarely check the calendar before happening. While virtually all hardware stores—including major chains and most independents—close their doors on Thanksgiving Day, a little planning goes a long way.

Think about it: that leaky pipe or broken doorknob doesn’t care if it’s a holiday. That’s why we always recommend getting ahead of potential problems, especially before days when finding an open hardware store is nearly impossible.

Here’s what the helpful team at Lowcountry Ace suggests:

Plan ahead by picking up those “just-in-case” supplies before the holiday rush. Many of our Charleston customers stop by our Folly Road location earlier in the week to grab extra batteries, light bulbs, or basic plumbing supplies—just to have peace of mind during family gatherings.

Can’t make it in before the holiday? No problem! Our online ordering system stays open even when our physical doors are closed. Place your order on Thanksgiving, and we’ll have it ready for pickup first thing Friday morning.

At Lowcountry Ace Hardware, we’re proud to be Charleston’s neighborhood solution for everything from paint to lawn care to fishing gear. While we close on Thanksgiving to let our team enjoy some well-deserved family time, we’re open regular hours before and after to make sure you have everything you need.

Our Riverland Market location serves the James Island and Folly Beach communities with the kind of personalized service that big-box stores just can’t match. We know our customers by name, understand their projects, and genuinely care about helping them succeed.

Whether you’re planning a major home renovation or just need a spare key made, we’re here for you—every day we’re open. And isn’t that what being a true neighborhood hardware store is all about?

For specific details about our holiday schedule, visit Is Ace Hardware Open on Thanksgiving? or give us a call. Our friendly staff is always happy to help.

From our Lowcountry Ace family to yours, we wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with good food, great company, and zero home emergencies!