What’s open and closed for Thanksgiving 2020

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Ah, Thanksgiving! It’s a time when the leaves on the trees reflect the colours of a brilliant campfire, family and friends gather, safely, of course, to eat all of their favourite holiday foods, and someone ends up fighting with someone else about football or politics – our money is on the latter this year, what with the American presidential race heating up!

All joking aside, Thanksgiving tends to be a time of coming together, virtually or in person. The last thing anyone needs during a time meant to be spent with loved ones expressing gratitude is to find themselves at a closed grocery store when they could be in and out of an open one with that bundle of fresh thyme you forgot to pick up during your last trip.

With that in mind, we did all the calling and checking for you to give you this list of what is open and closed, and which services may be affected during the Thanksgiving long weekend.

City of Kingston offices and services

• All City administrative offices (including housing and social services and Provincial Offences on Montreal Street): Closed Monday.
• Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro: Closed Monday. In the event of a utility emergency, such as a gas smell, power outage, or a water main break, call Utilities Kingston/Kingston Hydro’s 24-hour number at 613-546-1181. (Hydro One electricity customers in City west and east can call 1-800-434-1235. Union Gas customers can call 1-877-969-0999). Remember: time-of-use electricity pricing will be billed at a fixed price, which the government refers to as the COVID-19 Recovery Rate, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until Oct. 31.
• Garbage, green bin and recycling:  No collection on Monday and collection moves to the day after your normal pick-up day for the rest of the week. Sign-up to be reminded what to put out when at www.CityofKingston.ca/collection. The Kingston Area Recycling Centre is closed Monday.

Public Transportation

• Kingston Transit: Buses run on a Sunday schedule on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, except for the Route 18 which will run on its regular weekday schedule.  Plan your bus trip with Google Transit: www.kingstontransit.ca/tripplanner.
• Kingston Access Services: Operates with limited service Monday. Call 613-542-2512.

Arts and recreation

• Kingston Frontenac Public Library: All branches closed Monday.
• CaraCo Home Field and Arenas: Closed Monday.
• INVISTA Centre/Fitness & Wellness Centre: Closed Monday.
• Rideau Heights Community Centre & Library: Closed Monday.
• Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Confederation Basin Marinas: The Confederation Basin Marina office is open. The fueling stations are open at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, but the office will be closed Monday. 
• City Hall: Closed Monday (no tours).
• PumpHouse: Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Closed Monday.
• MacLachlan Woodworking Museum: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday.
• Grand Theatre Box Office: Closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• Tett Centre: Closed Monday.

Shopping

Many stores and grocery stores will be closed or have reduced hours on Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. Please check with individual locations for store hours. Here’s is what we know for certain regarding closures:

• The Cataraqui Centre will be closed Monday.
• Walmart will be open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. 
• Costco will be closed.
• The Frontenac Mall will be closed, except for the Food Basics in the mall, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Staples will be closed Monday.
• Both Loblaws locations will be open on Monday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The No Frills Division Street location will be open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the Coverdale Drive location will be closed.
• The Metro Barrie Street location will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., the Gardiners Road location will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Bayridge Drive location will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• All Food Basics locations will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Farm Boy will be open Saturday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Monday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• FreshCo will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• All LCBO locations will be closed and all Beer Store locations will be closed.
• Most Shoppers Drug Mart locations will be open throughout the weekend for regular hours, but some may vary. Click here to search store hours in Kingston.
• Many downtown Kingston businesses do open on holidays, but all keep their own hours. Call ahead to find out whether your favourite stores or restaurants are open. 

Banks and post offices

A majority of banks and post offices will be closed Monday. Call your branch ahead of time to find out.

News

As always, Kingstonist will be open. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the goings-on in the city, as they happen. We will also be happy to hear from you if there is something you think we should know about. Please reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook or via our contact page any time.

Having a Thanksgiving celebration this weekend?

KFL&A Public Health put out a release on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2020, recommending residents do not gather with people outside their households.

These guidelines were provided by KFL&A Public Health to protect you and your loved ones – and especially older relatives – from COVID-19:

• Recommended: Visit virtually instead of in person.
• If you intend to meet people from outside your household:
  • stay local (within the KFL&A region).
  • meet with as few people as possible.
  • stay outdoors as much as possible.
  • bring your own food.
  • maintain a physical distance of 2 metres from those outside your household.
  • wear a face-covering if you cannot not maintain a 2 metre distance (indoors and out).