Thanksgiving: Open for Business

Most people typically think of Thanksgiving as a day off from their usual jobs, not that they're not working. Many spend hours, if not days, preparing for their annual day of thanks feast. Yet, there are many people who do not get the day off. And while that's always been the case, the annual shopping orgy of Black Friday has crept backwards into Thanksgiving, meaning more people than ever have to schedule their holiday dinner plans around their work schedule.

For those who don't work on Thanksgiving, today may be a good time to give thanks for the essential personnel on the job today. I'm talking about medical and public safety professionals--physicians, nurses, health aides, police officers, utility workers who keep the lights (and ovens on). To a lesser extent there are important (if not absolutely essential) jobs that don't take a break on holidays, such as journalists, radio and television broadcast technicians. Don't forget those who are on call and can't totally kick back.

Since Route 27 business is mostly retail, there are many stores open, some of which are surprising, like GNC. Perhaps some people would like protein powder to go along with their turkey.

 Aabh Beauty Salon and HairTime Salon were also open. Most of HairTime's customers were men stopping in for a haircut.

And yes, if you absolutely need to get your car washed today, Casino Car Wash is open.

In case you need vitamins or protein powder...

Car wash, anyone?

Preemptive Strike

Need to take off those pounds before you put them on? Call it preemptive a preemptive strike against belly bloat. Club Metro will be open until 1 pm.

Club Metro open til 1 pm 

No Holiday for Restaurants

It's not surprising that many restaurants are open today. IHOP is open until 2 pm today. Meanwhile, Confectionately Yours, which up until today was taking reservations for Thanksgiving dinner, is open until 5 pm.

Isabella (left) and Elena at IHOP on Thanksgiving morning

IHOP online orders counter open

Confectionately Yours serves Thanksgiving dinner

Need some medication? All CVS pharmacies are open today until 2 pm. Meanwhile, Walgreens is open, but its pharmacy isn't. 

Walgreens photo department open; pharmacy isn't

CVS store and pharmacy open

Urgent Care Available

If you cut or burn yourself while preparing dinner, Brunswick Urgent Care has four employees working, including a physician, to patch you up. Holidays are usually pretty busy, says Maggie, who mans the reception desk. The business is open until 5 pm today.

Maggie at Brunswick Urgent Care's reception desk

In case you have unexpected guests, Stop & Shop and Route 27 Farmers Market are open. And if you forgot to pick up wine or beer, the liquor stores along Route 27 are open, too.

Stop & Shop open for picking up orders and last-minute needs.

And to pick up beer and/or wine for dinner...

If you find Thanksgiving too stressful, you can fuel up at Valero and drive off for a last-minute vacation.

Gas stations open, as usual

"This Stretch of 27" covers business on Route 27 between Finnegan's Lane and Route 518. What's your story? Email me at lkiesche@gmail.com

Liz Kiesche
Liz, a business journalist, formerly worked for Bloomberg News in Princeton and New York.