Augusta, GA
New Year’s Day 2025: Here are the businesses that won’t be open
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new year, 2025, is upon us. While banks, post offices and major stock exchanges are closed on New Year’s Day, which is a federal holiday, you’ll find that many retailers will be open, although hours may be limited.
What’s open on New Year’s Day?
GROCERS, STORES, PHARMACIES
- CVS Pharmacy — Locations will be open on New Year’s Day, although some stores may have reduced hours, according to a spokesperson. The retailer recommends that customers call their local store in advance or check hours at cvs.com.
- Food Lion — All stores are open regular hours.
- Kroger — While some store hours may vary, most Kroger locations will operate during their normal hours on New Year’s Day.
- Publix — All stores are open but hours vary according to location. Customers should check ahead.
- Rite Aid (stores only) – Stores will be open on New Year’s Day, while pharmacies will be closed. Customers should check their local store in advance for store hours.
- Stop & Shop (stores, fuel only) — Stores and fuel station operate during regular hours on New Year’ Day. In-store pharmacies are closed.
- Target — Target locations will operate on a normal schedule on Jan. 1.
- Walmart — All stores will operate during normal business hours.
- Whole Foods — All stores are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

RESTAURANTS, FAST-FOOD CHAINS
- Chick-fil-A — Restaurants are open on New Year’s Day, although they may have limited operating hours. To check the specific hours of operation for your local Chick-fil-A restaurant, consumers can select their local restaurant on the Chick-fil-A App or click the “Find a restaurant” link on its website.
- Chili’s — All Chili’s restaurants are open on New Year’s Day.
- Chipotle Mexican Grill — Restaurants are open with regular hours.
- Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, others) — Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Yard House, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Bahama Breeze and Eddie V’s restaurants are open with regular hours.
- Dunkin’ — Locations are open on New Year’s Day, but guests are encouraged to check the Dunkin’ Mobile App to confirm their local store’s hours before visiting.
- IHOP — Restaurants are open during the holidays, but hours of operation may vary — customers should check with their local IHOP.
- Outback Steakhouse — Restaurants are open on Jan. 1, though hours may vary. Guests are advised to check with their local restaurant for hours of operation in advance.
- Starbucks — Store hours vary by location, while locations may occasionally adjust their hours based on business and customer needs. The company recommends checking specific store hours using the Starbucks® app or website store locator in advance.

What’s closed on New Year’s Day?
- ALDI
- Costco
- Sam’s Club
- Rite Aid (pharmacies) – Rite Aid pharmacies will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The retailer’s stores will be open with normal business hours.
- Stop & Shop (pharmacies) — In-store pharmacies are closed on New Year’s Day. Shop & Stop stores and fuel stations are operating during normal business hours.

Are banks open on New Year’s Day?
Banks are closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1, in observance of the federal holiday.
“Federal holidays” and “bank holidays” are nearly synonymous terms. Banks tend to adhere to federal holidays, meaning most will be closed on New Year’s Day — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Capital One, Citibank and Truist.
Is the post office open on New Year’s Day?
All U.S. Postal Service locations are closed on New Year’s Day, one of 11 federal holidays when mail is not delivered.
DHL and UPS are also closed on New Year’s Day. FedEx locations and operations are also closed, with the exception of its FedEx Custom Critical® services, which are available.
Is the stock market open today on New Year’s Day?
The New York Stock Exchange will be closed on Wednesday, Jan.1, in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Through pain, acid victim still smiling as she recovers in Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. – A Savannah woman faces a long road to recovery after a stranger attacked her with acid that ate through her clothes and covered 50% of her body with burns.
Ashley Wasielewski is trying to recover after receiving a first round of emergency surgery at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.
The attack happened last Wednesday at Savannah’s iconic Forsyth Park when a man stepped out of the shadows and poured acid all over Wasielewski.
The recovery has been extremely difficult, according to her friend Kristen Oddi, of Marietta.
Most of the burns have been diagnosed as third-degree, covering over 50% of her body, Oddi wrote on a GoFundMe page.
She said it’s unlikely one burned area of Wasielewski’s scalp will ever grow hair again.

She added that the most crucial next step is to see if Ashley’s body will accept the cadaver skin from a recent surgery.
If that happens, skin graft surgeries will proceed, Oddi said.
Plastic surgery is ahead for her, but there’s no timetable yet.
Beyond that, Wasielewski faces rehabilitation, occupational therapy, wound management, long-term support and follow-up.
For now, she’s stable, according to Oddi.
And despite the hardship she’s been through and that lies ahead, she’s smiling in a photo from her hospital bed, with little other than her eyes and mouth visible through openings in gauze that covers her face.
“She will come back so much stronger,” Oddi said. “That, I don’t have a single doubt about.”
The investigation continues
Police are looking for the suspect and have spoken with two witnesses.
They’re hoping to speak with a third person whose photo they posted and to find the driver of a vehicle that was spotted nearby.
Meanwhile, the FBI is offering a $5,000 reward for tips.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
AU’s Healthy Grandparents program holds Christmas party
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta University’s Healthy Grandparents program had its Christmas party Sunday.
Santa is continuing his trip across the csra and was at the party to give presents to the kids.
The program was started in 1999 to support grandparents raising their children.
They help with necessary services like food assistance and transportation.
We spoke with one of the grandparents about the program.
“My grandchildren love it. They do a lot of things going on the year, like summer camp and all that stuff, book bag, getaways,” said Carolyn Thompson.
The program has helped more than 660 families, 900 grandparents, and 1,300 grandchildren.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Augusta, GA
Augusta Men Drop Overtime Thriller to Georgia College and State – Augusta University
Augusta, Ga. – In a game that saw 19 lead changes, Georgia College and State prevailed over Augusta 99-91 in overtime Saturday at Christenberry Fieldhouse. The Jaguars fall to 2-2 in Peach Belt Conference play and 6-7 overall. The Bobcats are now 3-0 in conference play and 6-2 overall.
C.J. Jones of GCSU was the star of this one as he poured in 42 points to lead all scorers and also grabbed eight rebounds in the win.
The Jaguars fell behind midway through the second half, but with just one second left in regulation, T.J. Baker hit a three-pointer to send the game into overtime. But in the extra period, GCSU outscored AU 18-10 for the winning margin.
Luis Nonfon, who had another double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds, started the scoring in overtime and gave the Jags the 83-81 lead. GCSU then rattled off five straight points to take the lead, one they would not surrender.
The Jaguars had five players in double figures led by Elías Pálsson who tallied 22 points while grabbing eight rebounds. T.J. Baker and Tobias Prall each had 18 points while Charlie McBeath scored 13.
Augusta hit on just 35% of their shots from the field while GCSU hit on 52.5%. The Bobcats outscored Augusta 46-22 in the paint and went 8-18 from three-point range while Augusta finished 10 of 29 from deep. From the foul line, both teams went 29-36.
Other than Nonfon grabbing double figures in rebounds, Pálsson eight rebounds and was a perfect 12-12 from the foul line.
Next up for the Jaguars will be a battle with Reinhardt University on Thursday at 11 a.m., part of Columbia County Education Day.
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