Mall Of America Announces 2017 Thanksgiving, Black Friday Policy

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BLOOMINGTON, MN — The Mall of America announced Thursday it will close for the second year in a row on Thanksgiving Day. For decades, Black Friday was understood as the kickoff to the holiday shopping season, but major retailers have opted to hold sales on Thanksgiving in recent years.

The nation's largest shopping mall also announced it has decided to treat Black Friday as a "seventh holiday" for employees that work directly for the Mall of America and Nickelodeon Universe. Eligible mall employees who work Friday, Nov. 24 will receive holiday pay.

The holiday pay policy will not impact the employees of the 520 stores, restaurants and attractions at the mall, however.

In a letter sent to Mall of America employees Thursday morning, Mall of America Executive Vice President Rich Hoge and Senior Vice President Jill Renslow said, “After much consideration, we are happy to share that Black Friday will be treated as a ‘seventh holiday’ in our calendar year. As the busiest day in the retail industry, we believe Mall of America employees dedicating their time on Black Friday should be rewarded with holiday pay.”

Related: Thanksgiving 2017 Store Closures: Which Minnesota Retailers Won't Be Open

Black Friday events at the Mall of America

• The mall will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday at the north entrance, where the first 200 guests in line will receive a gift card valued anywhere between $10 - $500.
• A mystery scratch off event will also begin that morning for shoppers. A limited number of mystery scratch off tickets will be distributed each day Friday, Nov. 24 through Monday, Nov. 27 at the north entrance when the mall opens. Guests who receive a scratch-off ticket will have the opportunity to win prizes that include electronics, gift cards and more.
• The Mall of America will host the Walk to End Hunger Thanksgiving morning.

Photo credit: AP Photo/Dawn Villella