What Stores Are Open on Thanksgiving Day in Maine?

In Maine, Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday. It’s one of only three days each year when many large retailers are legally required to stay closed. So why is Maine the exception?

For most of the country, Thanksgiving marks the unofficial kickoff of the Christmas shopping season. Black Friday deals often spill over into Thanksgiving Day itself, with major retailers opening their doors before the turkey has even cooled. But in Maine, things work a little differently. 

The answer lies in the state’s longstanding “blue laws,” many of which date back more than a century. 

Blue laws were originally enacted to restrict certain activities on Sundays and religious holidays. Their purpose was largely moral or religious in nature, to ensure that families had time for rest, worship, and community. If you’ve ever tried to buy a car on a Sunday in Maine, you’ve run into one of these laws where auto dealerships must remain closed.

Up until the late 1980s, Maine’s restrictions were even stricter. Any retail store larger than 5,000 square feet was barred from opening on Sundays, regardless of the type of merchandise they sold. Most of those limitations were eventually lifted, but a key portion of the law still applies to three major holidays: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

Maine State Title 17, §3204(2)(HH) spells it out clearly:

"No store with more than 5,000 square feet of interior customer selling space may open on Easter Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day."

This rule affects nearly all large grocery and big-box retailers, including:

• Hannaford
• Shaw’s
• Market Basket
• Walmart
• Target
• The Maine Mall
• Home Depot
• Lowe’s
• Kohl’s

Despite these widespread closures, plenty of smaller businesses remain open on Thanksgiving. Shoppers can typically rely on:

• Most Walgreens locations (usually 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.)
• Most Dunkin’ shops
• Some chain restaurants
• A variety of local diners and cafés
• Many convenience stores
• Some movie theaters

And, of course, the L.L.Bean Flagship Store in Freeport is Maine’s exception to the rule. Despite being much larger than 5,000 square feet, it is exempt from the blue law and stays open 365 days a year.

Because individual business policies vary, and some locations choose different hours, it’s always wise to call ahead if you’re planning to shop on Thanksgiving. Maine’s holiday retail landscape may be unique, but with a little preparation, you’ll know exactly where you can and can’t go on Turkey Day.