Costco, USPS, Banks & More – What's Open and Closed on Presidents Day?

Will your go-to store or bank be open on Presidents Day? As the holiday nears on February 17, 2025, here's what to know about openings, closures, and schedule changes.

Presidents Day, observed on February 17, is a federal holiday that impacts government offices, banks, and businesses nationwide.

Here's what will be open, closed, or operating on adjusted hours this President's Day 2025.

The United States Postal Service (USPS) will be closed, halting mail delivery and retail services for the day. Wells Fargo will not be in operation, and American Bank will remain shut for the holiday, just as it did last year.

Capital One announced on X, formerly Twitter, that their branches and offices will not operate, though customers can still access banking services through their mobile app and website.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) will remain closed, along with the New York State's Department of Financial Services.

Despite the federal holiday, some businesses will stay open. Costco Wholesale Corporation (Costco) will operate as usual, as it only closes on select holidays such as New Year's Day, Easter, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Walmart will be open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Among the banks, Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD Bank) will also operate on Presidents Day.

Shipping services will be affected. FedEx will be open on Presidents Day but on an adjusted schedule. FedEx 1 will have modified services, while FedEx Office, FedEx Freight, FedEx Custom Critical, and FedEx Logistics will remain operational.

With schedules varying across businesses and services, customers are encouraged to check with specific locations for changes in hours or operations.

Presidents Day, observed on the third Monday of February, was originally established in 1885 to honor George Washington's birthday on February 22.

In 1971, the Uniform Monday Holiday Law moved the holiday to create a long weekend. Over time, it became known as Presidents Day, recognizing Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, and other U.S. presidents.

Adjusting store and business hours for federal holidays isn't new—just last January 20, many did the same for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader's legacy. It is also recognized as a national day of service, encouraging Americans to engage in community improvement initiatives.

While some businesses and services remained operational, others observed the holiday by closing for the day. Here was a guide to what was open and closed on this important day, which coincided with President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration that year.

According to USA Today, the USPS did not operate on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Post offices were closed, and no regular mail delivery took place on Monday, January 20. Normal services resumed on Tuesday, January 21.

Major banks, including Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, CitiBank, Wells Fargo, PNC, and Truist, were closed in observance of the holiday. Customers were advised to plan their banking needs accordingly, as branches were not accessible.

The United Parcel Service (UPS) did not offer pickup or delivery services on January 20. Many UPS Store locations were closed, and customers were advised to check with individual stores for specific hours. However, UPS Express Critical services remained available throughout the day for urgent shipping needs.

FedEx, on the other hand, offered limited services. Some pickup and delivery services operated, and FedEx Office locations were expected to stay open. Customers were advised to confirm local hours before visiting. FedEx Custom Critical services were also available as usual.

Most major retailers and grocery stores, including Walmart, Target, Kroger, Costco, and Sam's Club, remained open on MLK Day, as reported by CNN. Many restaurant chains were also operational. However, it was advisable to check specific store and restaurant hours, as schedules could vary by location.

The path to establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a federal holiday was neither quick nor easy. Just four days after King's assassination in April 1968, Democratic Congressman John Conyers introduced a bill to recognize his birthday as a national holiday. However, the legislation languished for years without sufficient congressional support.

For over a decade, civil rights advocates—including Coretta Scott King, King's widow—worked tirelessly to push the bill forward. They garnered public support, highlighted by a petition signed by more than six million people and musician Stevie Wonder's 1980 hit song, "Happy Birthday," which became an anthem for the movement.

Wonder also performed at a rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where King had delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech nearly two decades earlier.

Finally, after years of resistance, the bill passed both the House and Senate in 1983, 15 years after King's death. On November 2, 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed the King Holiday Bill into law, designating the third Monday in January as Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The holiday was first observed on January 20, 1986.

Despite federal recognition, it took until the year 2000 for all 50 states to officially recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Some states initially resisted the holiday, with a few opting to combine it with other observances, such as Robert E. Lee Day, honoring the Confederate general.

In addition to honoring King's legacy as a civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service.

Signed into law in 1994 as the King Holiday and Service Act, this initiative encourages Americans to engage in volunteer activities that improve their communities.

Congressman John Lewis famously described the day as "a day on, not a day off," inspiring people to participate in activities such as food drives, educational workshops, and community cleanups.

Organizations like the National Museum of African American History and Culture play a key role in these efforts, hosting events, donation drives, and interactive programs that reflect King's values of equality and service.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is marked by a variety of rituals and commemorations. In Atlanta, King's birthplace, the day often begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at his gravesite, followed by services at Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he once preached.

These events serve as a model for national celebrations, often accompanied by speeches, marches, and volunteer initiatives.

Local communities across the country organize similar events, including parades, film screenings, and educational programs that reflect King's philosophy of nonviolence and social justice. In Washington, D.C., the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial serves as a focal point for reflection and celebration.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day provides an opportunity to honor the civil rights leader's enduring legacy while promoting service, unity, and equality. Whether through volunteering or simply understanding the day's significance, the holiday encourages all Americans to reflect on the values King stood for.