Why is everything closed? (sales, to buy, living in)

[Hoosier]

After five years of living in Minnesota I'm still baffled that all grocery stores close on holidays. I've lived in many other states where at least the local grocery store is open 'til noon for those of us who have forgotten something.

Our first Christmas here my wife told me the employees were standing at the front door of one of the grocery stores and at 5 p.m. they would not allow anyone else in the store. I was blown away. We've learned to buy in advance and try not to forget anything. What is it about Minnesota that businesses close on those holidays? Is Minnesota more family oriented than the rest of the country?

[kuan]

Did you work today or did you have the day off?

[golfgal]

It's a national holiday-I wouldn't want to work today either. Cub was open this morning.

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by golfgal

It's a national holiday-I wouldn't want to work today either. Cub was open this morning.

The Cub up in NW side of the Cities were closed. I wouldn't want to work today, and didn't, but I'm just curious why Minnesota differs from many of the other states.

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by kuan

Did you work today or did you have the day off?

I work in sales and my office is from home. I set my own hours so I did choose to not work today. My question is not focused on whether people should or should not work on a holiday. The question is as I mentioned in Golfgal's response. Many states around the country have stores open on holidays. I'm simply curious as to what it is about Minnesota that makes us stand out from the other states.

[K-Luv]

I remember that the Wedge was always open until 3pm, Whole Foods too. I believe that Rainbow in Uptown was open until the early afternoon as well.

I think that grocery stores should have limited morning hours on the day of these Holidays. My experience in retail, particularly with food is that:

1) Some employees are going to want to work. They either need the hours, want the extra hours, or do not care for the Holiday/have nothing else to do.

2)Enough people are going to want to purchase last minute items to make it worth the stores while.

Minnesota does seem to have a 'buy in advance' mentality

[Huckleberry3911948]

beats me here we dont do that. we just go go go til they roll us out of the car and the paramedics pick us up.

[Slig]

The Cub, Rainbow and Target on Lake St were all closed this morning. Most of the Mexican supermarkets and East African corner stores were open though, luckily.

[usafracer]

I worked at a store and the only days we closed were Thanksgiving and Christmas. The store owner would always tell "us these are days to spend with your family not work".

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Seems to me that would be kind of nice to not have businesses open during a major holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas. I would kind of prefer that places were also closed on Sundays.