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What’s open and what’s closed on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?

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What’s open and what’s closed on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?


BOSTON – Need to run to the store for a last-minute Thanksgiving dinner ingredient? Or hoping to get an early start on Black Friday shopping? Here’s what’s open and closed on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts, and some background about the “blue laws” that regulate the holiday.

What are “blue laws” in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is one of just three states that prohibit most stores from opening on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas thanks to “blue laws.” According to the Massachusetts Historical Society, blue laws were established by colonial governments of the 1600s to make sure people went to church on Sundays and observed the Sabbath.

They’re called blue laws because blue was a color associated with high morality. 

What stores are closed on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?

As noted above, most retail stores are prevented from opening on Thanksgiving, but more and more chains are deciding to give their employees a day off. Framingham-based TJX will close all TJ Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods stores on Thanksgiving. 

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Other big-name stores found in Massachusetts like Target, Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, Kohl’s, and Macy’s are keeping locations closed nationwide for the holiday.

Are supermarkets and grocery stores open on Thanksgiving?

Large supermarkets and grocery store chains in Massachusetts will be closed on Thanksgiving. That includes Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Big Y, Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Price Chopper, Star Market and Hannaford. 

Small food stores that employ three people or fewer are exempt from the blue laws.

Are pharmacies open on Thanksgiving?

Stores with pharmacies are allowed to open, so you can go to CVS if you need to pick something up on Thanksgiving Day. Store hours may be shortened for the holiday, however.

Walgreens said most of its locations will be closed, except for 24-hour stores with pharmacies.

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Can restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?

Yes, restaurants are allowed to open on Thanksgiving. For coffee lovers that includes Dunkin’ and Starbucks as well, though hours may be limited.

Are liquor stores open on Thanksgiving in Massachusetts?

While restaurants are allowed to serve alcohol on Thanksgiving, liquor stores are required to close for the holiday in Massachusetts. 

Are gas stations open on Thanksgiving?

Yes, gas stations are open for Thanksgiving in Massachusetts.

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Boston, MA

Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony suffers another injury setback

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Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony suffers another injury setback


It’s going to be a little while longer before Roman Anthony returns to action.

The Red Sox outfielder has suffered another setback in his recovery from a sprained right hand and will be shut down from swinging for a couple of days.

Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy told reporters in Cleveland that Anthony tried hitting off a tee Thursday for the first time since suffering his injury on May 4, but that he found doing so to be painful.



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Boston, MA

Saturday storm will bring bursts of rain, strong winds, and… snow?

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Saturday storm will bring bursts of rain, strong winds, and… snow?


Surprise: Another weekend and there’s more rain on the way. It’s bad enough we’ve had to post a First Alert.

For now, we’ll watch as clouds thicken today. We’ll squeeze out some drops later this afternoon and evening.

A weather maker is winding up in Canada, wrapping in cold air. All of that is going to dive down to New England.

We’re in the thick of it tomorrow. Rain will be coming at us in bursts with some dry time in between. Winds will likely push past 50 mph in Boston.

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Those winds will eat away at temperatures; with wind chills barely above freezing. And no – not just in the morning – but the afternoon, too!

It’s so cold there’s the threat of snow as that rain bumps into colder air over the Berkshires, Worcester Hills and southern New Hampshire right up to Mount Washington.

The snow isn’t going to pile up but just know there could be some flakes flying over our highest hills.  

The blue on our Futurecast map marks the spots where snow could mix with rain.

Rain spins out by Saturday evening but not before dumping about half an inch over Boston.

We’ll try to salvage the rest of the weekend with temperatures in the upper 60s by Sunday. Still, there’s the threat of bits and pieces of rain.

By the way, this isn’t any weekend, it’s the last weekend of spring. Meteorological summer starts on June 1.

The first day of summer remains drab and dreary with more rain chances and temperatures in the low 60 on Monday.

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Boston, MA

House GOP demands ‘sanctuary city’ info from Boston law enforcement

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House GOP demands ‘sanctuary city’ info from Boston law enforcement


Federal immigration demands are once again centered on Massachusetts.

The House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday sent three letters to Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins and Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden demanding, among other things, information on how many ICE detainers BPD has received and declined to honor from 2022 to 2026 and any communication between the three departments related to immigration.

House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said in a statement that “releasing repeat criminals back to the streets solely because of their immigration status is crazy, and that’s exactly what Boston is doing.”

But Democrats push back on that framing.

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“You’re familiar with Jim Jordan and his antics,” said Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey. “This is more circus, it’s more theater and it’s not making our community safe.”

A spokesperson for the City of Boston wrote, “the city has provided this information many times…” going on to say “…these policies are part of keeping Boston the safest major city in America.”

The letters call for the documents to be sent to the House Judiciary Committee by June 10th at 5:00 pm. District Attorney Hayden’s office told NBC 10 they are reviewing the letter, neither Commissioner Cox or Sheriff Tompkins responded to requests for comment.



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