Memorial Day on Monday, May 25, is the nation’s foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. The federal holiday, which always falls on the last Monday in May, traces back to the 1860s, when it was originally called Decoration Day and began as a way to commemorate those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
For many Americans, the day also means a busy retail and travel weekend. Most grocery store chains will remain open, while banks and post offices will be closed. In central Iowa, trash pickup will be delayed by one day for most residents, and both the city of Des Moines and Metro Waste Authority services will run behind schedule.
Store hours vary widely. Aldi will operate under limited hours, Costco warehouses will be closed, and all Fareway stores will close at 5 p.m. Hy-Vee stores will be open their normal hours, though the pharmacy at most locations will have reduced hours. Sam’s Club will open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Club members. Trader Joe’s, Target and Walmart will be open regular hours, with Walmart typically operating from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Whole Foods will also be open normal hours on May 25.
That split between remembrance and routine is what gives the holiday its shape. Memorial Day is set aside to honor the fallen, but it also lands on one of the biggest retail sales and travel weekends of the year, pushing families to juggle store runs, road trips and service delays around the same Monday pause. For those looking for a quieter observance, the holiday’s meaning remains unchanged: Memorial Day is for remembering the men and women who died in U.S. military service.
