The new year has been underway for less than three weeks, but Martin Luther King Jr. Day offers some people the chance to catch their breath. As the nation celebrates the Civil Rights leader, government organizations will largely be closed. But if you’ve got shopping to do, you likely won’t encounter too many hurdles.
Here’s a look at who’s open and closed on MLK Day 2020 and a few informational nuggets about the holiday.
What is Martin Luther King Jr. Day—also known as MLK Day?
Designed to honor Martin Luther King Jr., MLK Day became a federal holiday in 1983. It falls on the third Monday of every January and was the first federal holiday to honor an African American.
Are banks open on MLK Day?
Because MLK Day is a federal holiday, banks will be closed. You can, however, still use ATM machines to get cash or put money into your account.
Will there be any mail delivery on MLK Day?
Nope. The U.S. Postal Service does not operate on MLK Day. UPS and FedEx will both remain open, though, meaning you can expect package delivery as usual. Some FedEx Office Print & Ship Centers might be closed, so be sure to call before you head there.
Is the stock market open on MLK Day?
The New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq and bond markets are all closed. They’ll reopen on Tuesday.
Are government offices open on MLK Day?
City, county, state and federal offices are generally closed.
Which stores are closed on MLK Day?
Generally most retailers are open on MLK Day. It’s not a big ‘sale’ day (like Memorial Day or July 4), but many stores are still in the process of clearing out inventory from the holiday period, so there might be a few deals. Using the holiday as an opportunity to clear out summer merchandise (often at a notable discount). You shouldn’t have any trouble with your neighborhood Walmart, Target, Home Depot or Walgreen’s.
Similarly, big grocery chains, such as Harris Teeter, Kroger and Whole Foods, as well as restaurants are largely open. Some small businesses are closed on the holiday, however.
More must-read stories from Coins2Day:
—25 ideas that will shape the 2020s
—Why it’s time for a futures market in health care
—What we can learn from the man who tried to sell the Eiffel Tower—twice
—Food-delivery services feeling pressure to finally turn a profit
—Disney is ready to roll out new ‘Star Wars’ sagas as one story ends
Subscribe to Coins2Day’s forthcoming Bull Sheet for no-nonsense finance news and analysis daily.