Mall of America will be closed on Thanksgiving

Despite the enticement of massive sales from shoppers wanting to get an early jump on Black Friday, the Mall of America announced that it will again close on Thanksgiving, reported.

The 520 stores, restaurants and attractions at the Bloomington, Minnesota, mall is even taking it a step further, announcing holiday pay on Black Friday for the 1,200 people it directly employs. Mall of America decided to remain closed on Thanksgiving last year, while other malls nationwide opened on the holiday to grab early sales.

In a letter sent to MOA 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.”

The Mall of America will open at 5 a.m. on Black Friday and will hand out gift cards to the first 200 people in line; the cards will range in value from $10 to $500, KARE reported.

The holiday pay decision does not impact the employees of the 520 stores, restaurants and attractions at the Mall, KARE reported.