Need Groceries On Thanksgiving? In MA, You Might Be Out Of Luck

It’s Thanksgiving morning. The oven is warm, the kitchen is toasty and the turkey is stuffed. Then it hits you — you forgot the sweet potatoes.

In much of the country, you could run out and get forgotten items at the last minute, because many grocery stores open on Thanksgiving Day. But in Massachusetts, the "Blue Laws" prevent larger retail stores from opening on the holiday. The same is true in Maine and Rhode Island.

If a Massachusetts business falls within one of the 55 exemptions that can open on Sundays, it may also operate on most legal holidays like Thanksgiving. These include restaurants, pharmacies and hotels.

See below to see what's open and what's closed today.

Stores That Will Open On Thanksgiving

CVS: Most stores open regular hours
The Fresh Market (there is one located in Hingham): open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rite Aid: Most stores open regular hours
Walgreen's: Stores open regular hours

Stores That Are Closed On Thanksgiving

Aldi
BJ's Wholesale Club
Costco
The Fresh Market
Hannaford
Market 32
Market Basket
Price Chopper
Price Rite
Sam's Club
Shaw's
Stop & Shop
Target
Trader Joe's
Walmart
Wegmans
Whole Foods

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

Photo credit: David Allen/Patch