This story is part of CT Mirror Explains, an ongoing effort to distill our wide-ranging reporting into a "what you need to know" format and provide practical information to our readers.
Labor Day weekend is considered the unofficial last weekend of summer by many, as the last days of the season often means the start of cooler weather.
Observed the first Monday of September, Labor Day celebrates the contributions of workers in the United States.
This year the holiday falls a bit later than usual, on Sept. 7.
Unlike other federal holidays, most stores choose to keep their doors open on Labor Day with only a handful of services unavailable across Connecticut. That includes major mail or package delivery services, with only one major company planning to deliver on Monday.
So before going end of summer shopping or out to run an errand, be sure to double-check local store hours as some may be operating on limited hours or closed for the day.
Here’s a look at some of the planned openings and closings across Connecticut.
Grocery stores
Larger grocery store chains in Connecticut are all planning to remain open Monday. Some, however, may be operating limited hours. For hours and locations, click on the store name.
- ACME Markets
- ALDI
- Big Y
- Food Bazaar
- Gala Foods
- Price Chopper/Market 32
- Price Rite
- ShopRite
- Stew Leonard’s
- Stop and Shop
- Trader Joe’s
- Wegmans
- Whole Foods
Pharmacies
CVS and Walgreens pharmacies plan to open Monday. For those who pick up their prescriptions from supermarkets and other retailers with connected pharmacies, check the retailer’s website for their pharmacy hours.
Major retail chains
Here are some popular retailers that are all open on Monday.
- Apple
- Barnes and Noble
- Bass Pro Shop
- Best Buy
- Cabela’s
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- Dollar General
- Dollar Tree
- Family Dollar
- Hobby Lobby
- Home Depot
- Home Goods and Homesense
- IKEA
- JCPenney
- Kohl’s
- Lowe’s
- Marshalls
- Petco
- PetSmart
- Target
- TJ Maxx
- Walmart
Members wholesale clubs
While BJ’s and Sam’s Club plan to open on Monday, Labor Day is one of seven major holidays when Costco stores close.
Banks and credit unions
Banks and credit unions close on federal holidays, including Labor Day.
Restaurants
Many major restaurant chains in Connecticut will be open for business on Monday, including:
- Applebee’s
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Burger King
- Cheesecake Factory
- Chick-fil-A
- Chili’s
- Chipotle
- Dairy Queen
- Domino’s
- Dunkin’
- IHOP
- Jersey Mike’s
- KFC
- McDonald’s
- Olive Garden
- Panera Bread
- Pizza Hut
- Popeyes
- Sonic
- Starbucks
- Taco Bell
- Wendy’s
Delivery services
Amazon is the only major package delivery carrier that is planning to deliver on Monday. FedEx and UPS are both closed for deliveries on Labor Day, as is the United States Postal Service.
Government offices
As is customary for major holidays, city and town halls are planning to close on Monday, as are state and federal offices like the Department of Motor Vehicles, Connecticut legislative offices and state and federal courthouses.
Malls and casinos
As the major retailers that take up residence in them will be open, so will malls across the state. The Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos will also be open.
Is there a specific retailer, office or service you would like to see in future listings of holiday openings and closings in Connecticut? Let us know at audience@ctmirror.org.

