Starting My Holiday Hours Mission
Got this question in my head last Tuesday morning when my sister texted me: “Hey when is Kmart in Marshall opening for Christmas shopping?” Holiday season stress hit right there. Grabbed my coffee and my phone at 7AM sharp – figured store staff aren’t zombies, they won’t answer super early.
The Phone Call Fumble
Tried calling that Kmart location first thing. Ring… ring… ring… nothing. Let it ring 15 times before hanging up. Thought maybe they changed number since pandemic? Hopped onto Google Maps, found exact same number listed. Tried again after coffee refill. Finally got some guy named Brian who sounded half-asleep. “Yo man, need your Thanksgiving and Christmas hours.”
Brian went dead quiet for 10 seconds. Then: “Uh… think Thanksgiving we close early? Maybe like 4PM?” Not super helpful. Asked about Christmas Eve and Day. More silence. “Probably normal hours Christmas Eve? Closed Christmas Day?” The uncertainty in his voice made me nervous. Got his manager’s name for later reference – Linda or something.
Taking Matters Into My Own Hands
Decided to drive down Thursday afternoon when I knew the assistant manager would be there. Marshall’s Kmart looked half-dead even before holidays. Walked straight to customer service counter wearing my “Don’t talk to me before coffee” hoodie – Linda recognized it instantly. She laughed: “Still chasing holiday hours bud?”
Here’s what she handed me on that crumpled printout:
- Thanksgiving Week: Sunday-Wednesday 8AM-9PM, Thanksgiving Day 7AM-4PM
- Black Friday Madness: Open 6AM Friday till 10PM
- Christmas Countdown: Dec 18-23 open 8AM-10PM
- Christmas Eve Drama: 7AM-6PM
- Christmas Day: Locked doors all day
The Double Check
Couldn’t trust just that paper. Went back Sunday morning at 7:50AM with my old man’s stopwatch. Parked across street. Watched lights flick on exactly at 8AM, first employee stumbled in 8:07AM through side door. Manager Linda waved when she saw my car still sitting there at 8:30AM. Rolled down window: “Told ya we open 8!”
Mission accomplished. Now have printed schedule taped on my fridge and saved in phone notes. Holidays at Kmart Marshall? Got it covered like leftover turkey sandwiches.
