Have you ever started to cook an elaborate dinner only to realize you forgot to purchase an important ingredient from the grocery store? It happens to the best of us.

If you need to make a last-minute cranberry sauce run on Thanksgiving, you might find it difficult to locate an open store.

In accordance with state law, Rhode Island grocery stores cannot legally open on Thanksgiving Day, which falls on Thursday, Nov. 27, this year.

And, while smaller convenience stores are technically allowed to open, some might still opt to close in observance of the holiday. You should check a shop’s hours or call ahead before heading over.

Here’s what to know about Rhode Island grocery stores on Thanksgiving.

Are grocery stores open on Thanksgiving in RI?

In Rhode Island, grocery stores are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving, as it is a restricted holiday under state law.

That means that stores like Aldi, Stop & Shop, Market Basket, Trader Joe’s, Price Rite, Dave’s Fresh Marketplace, and Whole Foods will all be closed on Nov. 27 this year.

Liquor stores will also be closed on Thanksgiving.

Why aren’t Rhode Island grocery stores open on Thanksgiving?

Grocery stores in Rhode Island are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day in accordance with state law.

Food stores that employ more than six workers per shift at any location must close on both Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, per the RI Department of Labor and Training Workforce Regulation and Safety Division.

Which businesses are allowed to open on Thanksgiving? Convenience stores?

(WJAR) — Rhode Island and Massachusetts governors said residents’ EBT cards will remain active amid new directive on SNAP benefits.

The Trump administration’s new guidance follows a Supreme Court stay.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said pending any new direction from the Food and Nutrition Service, states should not issue full November benefits and should only load the partial 35% of the money.

This comes after states such as Rhode Island and Massachusetts filled SNAP recipients’ EBT cards with the entire months’ worth of SNAP benefits on Saturday, following a previous court order and USDA’s issuance.

USDA now said states that have sent full SNAP payments need to “immediately undo any steps.”

“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” the new USDA directive said. “Failure to comply with this memorandum may result in USDA taking various actions, including cancellation of the Federal share of State administrative costs and holding States liable for any overissuances that result from the noncompliance.”

On Sunday, Gov. Dan McKee said Rhode Island recipients’ EBT cards will remain active, and that his team has reached out to the Food and Nutrition Service related to the latest update.

“I am disgusted by the chaos and hardship that President Trump and his Administration continue to create across the country. While states have been forced to navigate a series of conflicting and erratic directives around SNAP benefits, Rhode Islanders, and all Americans, have been anxious, confused—and hungry,” McKee said in a statement.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said residents should continue to spend funds on their EBT cards.

“If President Trump wants to penalize states for preventing Americans from going hungry, we will see him in court,” she said. “These funds were processed in accordance with guidance we received from the Trump Administration and a lower court order, and they were processed before the Supreme Court order on Friday night. We will continue to work with Attorney General Campbell to make sure everyone gets the full benefits they are owed.”

McKee said on Saturday that so far, 79,000 in-state recipients have received their benefits and contingency plans are in place if future funds aren’t released.

Meanwhile, 100% of Massachusetts beneficiaries have received their November allotment.

Rhode Island FC is moving on in the USL Championship playoffs.

Albert Dikwa found the net twice late in Saturday’s match at North Carolina FC to lift the Ocean State club to a 2-0 victory at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, N.C. The victory means, for the second straight season, RIFC will be playing in the Eastern Conference Final with a chance to play for the league title.

North Carolina has had RIFC’s number in the previous two meetings at First Horizon Soccer Stadium, earning shutout wins in both matches. That changed on Friday night, thanks to Dikwa’s goals.

The first score, in the 81st minute, came on a header from the left side of the six-yard box that found the bottom left corner. Noah Fuson got the assist. The second score came in the 90th minute when Dikwa’s right-footed blast from more than 35 yards out found the bottom right corner of the net, following a fast break.

With the win, Rhode Island will advance to the conference final set for next week (Date/time TBD), against the winner of Saturday’s semifinal matchup between Detroit FC and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.

Earlier this week, news broke that North Carolina FC will not field a team in the UFL Championship next season. First reported by The Athletic, North Carolina’s players were informed of the news as the club prepared for their playoff game against Rhode Island. All players under contract will be released after the season and can sign elsewhere. Those with guaranteed deals will receive about two months’ salary, per the report.