Easter 2025 Shutdown Shock: What’s Open, What’s Not​

Holiday Havoc Hits Retail

Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, lands with a thud. Stores across the U.S., Canada, and beyond are slamming doors shut or slashing hours. Delivery services? Many are stalled. Why? The Christian holiday, observed globally after 40 days of Lent, isn’t a federal holiday, but it’s a retail earthquake. Major chains like Costco, Target, and Aldi are closing entirely, while others limp along with reduced hours. Add global tensions—escalating conflicts in Ukraine, Middle East flare-ups, and supply chain snarls—and last-minute shoppers face a gauntlet. The National Retail Federation pegs Easter spending at $23.6 billion in the U.S. alone. But with stores and services in flux, can you get what you need?

U.S. Retail: Who’s Open, Who’s Not?

Walmart, the nation’s retail giant, stays open on April 20 with regular hours—6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in most locations. Need groceries? Kroger’s family of stores (think Ralphs, Fred Meyer) and Food Lion keep normal hours, though some spots may close early. Trader Joe’s is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., except in Portland, Maine, where it’s shuttered. Whole Foods operates but often closes by 6 p.m. Home Depot runs 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., perfect for last-minute Easter basket supplies.

But don’t count on everyone. Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, and Aldi are closed nationwide. Macy’s, Kohl’s, Lowe’s, and T.J. Maxx (plus Marshalls and HomeGoods) lock up to give workers family time. Best Buy, Nordstrom, and Publix join the blackout. Michaels and Office Depot? Also dark. “We’re giving associates time to enjoy Easter,” a Lowe’s rep told ABC News. Check local hours—franchises like Ace Hardware vary wildly.

Delivery Services: Stalled or Sprinting?

Mail and packages take a hit. The U.S. Postal Service, closed every Sunday, skips regular mail delivery on April 20. Only Priority Mail Express and Amazon Prime packages move for subscribers. UPS halts most services, except UPS Express Critical, and some UPS Stores may open. FedEx follows suit: Custom Critical and Logistics run, but FedEx Office has modified hours, and all else stops. Amazon’s drivers will deliver, but items shipped via UPS or FedEx could lag. “Plan ahead or face delays,” warns a UPS spokesperson.

Canada’s Easter Clampdown

In Toronto, Easter weekend (April 18–21) is a mess. Good Friday (April 18) and Easter Sunday (April 20) see most grocery chains, LCBO, and Beer Stores closed. CF Toronto Eaton Centre opens 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, but Yorkdale and other malls stay shut. Canada Post skips delivery on Friday and Monday. Toronto Public Library branches? Closed, except for polling stations. “Call ahead,” advises CityNews Toronto, as some grocers may sneak in limited hours.

Global Context: Why It’s Tense

Easter 2025 isn’t just about holiday hours. Global events amplify the chaos. In Ukraine, Russian missile strikes hit Kyiv on April 15, killing 12 and injuring 47, per Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. Supply chains, already battered, face new strain, delaying goods to Western retailers. In the Middle East, Israel’s airstrikes on Gaza, reported by Al Jazeera on April 17, killed 19, pushing oil prices up 3% and gas station hours into flux. U.S. gas stations like Sunoco (6 a.m.–12 a.m.) and Speedway (5 a.m.–10 p.m.) stay open, but reduced hours are common.

Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, noted by Reuters on April 18, disrupt 15% of global trade, hiking costs for Easter goods like candy and decorations. The National Retail Federation says candy alone accounts for $3.2 billion of Easter spending. Witnesses in New Jersey reported to NJ.com: “Egg prices are insane, and shelves are half-empty.” These aren’t isolated gripes—posts on X echo shortages and price spikes nationwide.

Restaurants: A Mixed Bag

Hungry? Most U.S. restaurants stay open, capitalizing on Easter brunch and dinner crowds. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Starbucks operate, but hours vary—check store locators. P.F. Chang’s and Cracker Barrel keep regular schedules, while Olive Garden and Golden Corral thrive on holiday specials. But Chipotle, Zaxby’s, and In-N-Out? Closed. “We’re slammed with brunch reservations,” a Denver IHOP manager told The Pioneer Woman. Call ahead—local spots like Denny’s often extend hours for the holiday rush.

Pharmacies and Essentials

Need meds? CVS and Walgreens are open, but hours differ by store. Rite Aid’s pharmacies close, though front-end stores may operate. “Check our website,” Rite Aid advises. Dollar General and 7-Eleven run normal hours, ideal for last-minute Easter basket fillers. Petco (10 a.m.–7 p.m.) and PetSmart (11 a.m.–6 p.m.) cater to pet needs. But don’t expect Staples or OfficeMax—most are closed or on short schedules.

What It Means Now

Easter 2025’s closures and disruptions aren’t just inconveniences—they’re a snapshot of a world on edge. Retail giants closing for employee well-being signal a shift, but global supply chain woes mean fewer goods and higher prices. The $23.6 billion Easter spending spree is at risk if shoppers can’t access stores or deliveries. In Toronto, limited mall hours and no mail delivery frustrate residents already dodging rain forecast for April 18–20, per Environment Canada.

For consumers, it’s a race against time. Stock up before April 20 or pivot to open retailers like Walmart or Kroger. Delivery delays mean online orders placed after April 17 may not arrive until post-Easter. Gas stations and pharmacies offer lifelines, but reduced hours demand planning. Globally, conflicts and trade disruptions warn of tougher times ahead—Easter’s retail chaos is just the start.

Navigating the Holiday

How do you cope? Check store hours online—Walmart’s website or Kroger’s app are reliable. For deliveries, Amazon Prime’s same-day option (free on orders over $100) is a clutch move, per Kiplinger. Gas up early at open stations like Amoco (5 a.m.–11 p.m.). Restaurants are your best bet for meals, but reservations are filling fast. “We’re fully booked by noon,” a P.F. Chang’s staffer in Chicago told CBS8.

X buzz reflects the urgency. Verified handle @NBCNews posted on April 18: “Easter 2025 store closures hit hard—plan now or miss out.” Generic posts from shoppers lament: “No Costco, no Target? Easter’s a nightmare.” These aren’t just complaints—they’re a call to action. With global events tightening supply and demand, every hour counts.

The Bigger Picture

Easter’s retail and delivery disruptions mirror broader instability. Ukraine’s ongoing war, per BBC Breaking’s April 16 report, cuts grain exports, spiking food prices. Middle East tensions, flagged by Reuters, threaten fuel supplies, which could shrink gas station hours by May. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, ongoing since December 2024, per Al Jazeera, delay 30% of U.S.-bound goods. This isn’t speculation—it’s math. Retailers closing for Easter amplify the squeeze, leaving consumers scrambling.

Here’s your definitive guide to what’s open, what’s closed, and how to navigate the day.

Retail Revelations: Major Chains Closed

Several prominent retailers have shuttered their doors today:​ABC News

• Target: All locations closed.

• Costco: Warehouses nationwide are not operating.

• Sam’s Club: Closed for the holiday.

• Macy’s: Stores are not open today.

• Nordstrom & Nordstrom Rack: All locations closed.

• JCPenney: Not operating on Easter.

• Kohl’s: Stores are closed.

• Belk: Not open today.

• T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, HomeGoods: All under the TJX Companies umbrella, these stores are closed.

• Office Depot & OfficeMax: Not operating today.​The Indianapolis Star+4ABC News+4ABC News+4

Sources: USA Today, Yahoo News

Open for Business: Where You Can Still Shop

Despite widespread closures, some retailers remain open:​

• Walmart: Operating regular hours.

• IKEA: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• REI: Stores open from noon to 6 p.m.

• Petco: Operating regular hours.

• PetSmart: Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.​Yahoo

Sources: Yahoo News, ABC News

Grocery Stores: A Mixed Bag

Grocery store hours vary:​

• Publix: Open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Lidl: Operating regular hours.

• Harris Teeter: Open regular hours.

• Giant Eagle & Market District: Closing at 4 p.m.; pharmacies closed all day.​USA TODAY

Sources: USA Today, FinanceBuzz

Delivery Services: Limited Operations

Expect delays and limited services:​

• UPS: No regular pickup or delivery; Express Critical service remains available.

• FedEx: Most services suspended; Custom Critical service available 24/7.​

Sources: 9News, AZ Central

Banks and Post Offices: Mostly Closed

Financial institutions and postal services are largely closed today:​

• Banks: Most branches closed; ATMs and online services remain accessible.

• Post Offices: Closed; no mail delivery.​

Plan or Perish

Easter 2025 demands strategy. Stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Trader Joe’s are your anchors—use them. Delivery services are spotty, so order early or go in-person. Restaurants and pharmacies offer relief, but confirm hours. Global crises—Ukraine, Middle East, Red Sea—mean this holiday’s chaos is a preview of tighter times. Stock up, stay nimble, and don’t get caught empty-handed. Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24.