Fayette Mall closed Thanksgiving Day, but retailers, theaters might open

Jumping on a national trend, Fayette Mall announced Wednesday that it will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, department stores, movie theaters and retailers with their own external entrances can still choose to be open.

“We have, for the past few years, along with rest of the shopping industry, been opening earlier and earlier. Last year, Fayette Mall opened at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving,” said Sarah Enlow, mall spokeswoman.

“Now we’re taking it back; giving it back to the families, employees and shoppers. We want you to truly enjoy the day, have that extra piece of pumpkin pie ... look at the deals, and then kick off Black Friday at 6 a.m.”

To make the kick-off extra special, she said, Fayette Mall will turn on its outdoor “light show” Christmas tree at 6 a.m. on Nov. 25, Black Friday.

Mall owner CBL & Associates said all of its properties, including Jefferson Mall in Louisville and Eastgate Mall in Cincinnati, will be closed on Thanksgiving and reopen at 6 a.m. for Black Friday sales. Access to common areas will be closed until Friday. To check individual store plans, go to the mall’s website, shopfayette-mall.com.

Some stores, such as Dillard’s, have already announced that they will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Retailers including Macy’s, JC Penney’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods could open separately but have not yet announced their plans.

“We want to bring back the excitement of Black Friday shopping as the true start of the holiday shopping season and allow our employees, retailers and shoppers to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with their families,” said Stephen Lebovitz, president and CEO, CBL & Associates Properties, in a news release.

“After evaluating feedback from our mall employees, retail partners and input from our shoppers, we determined that this was the best decision for our properties.”

The move by Fayette Mall follows the announcement last week that Mall of America in Minneapolis will be closed on the holiday.

Other retailers who have announced they will be closed, according to published reports, include American Girl, Barnes & Noble, Bed Bath & Beyond (select locations), BJ’s Wholesale Club, Burlington, Cabela’s, Costco, Christopher & Banks, Crate and Barrel, DSW, Fred Meyer, Game Stop, Half Price Books, Harbor Freigh, hhgregg, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Home Goods, IKEA, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Lowe’s, Marshalls, Menards, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Patagonia, Pier 1 Imports, Petco, PetSmart, PepBoys, Publix, REI, Sam’s Club, Staples, TJ Maxx, Tractor Supply and True Value.

It’s unclear if other major retailers, such as Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, Belk and Kroger, will follow suit.

This story was originally published October 12, 2016 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Fayette Mall closed Thanksgiving Day, but retailers, theaters might open."