Thanksgiving 2022: What grocery stores are open, which are closed in the Coachella Valley
Are you a serial procrastinator? An adrenaline junkie who loves the thrill of cutting your holiday shopping trips uncomfortably close? Or perhaps you’ve been laid low by your unreliable cousin who dropped the ball on a key dish for Thanksgiving dinner?
Whatever the case, you need to know what’s open on Nov. 24 so you can grab that last-minute item and save the get-together.
Back by popular demand, this is The Desert Sun’s Thanksgiving Day grocery store hours round up! We’ve toiled over a hot phone all day to provide you with the most comprehensive list around.
You’re welcome.
Ralphs — 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Most Ralphs stores across the valley will open at 6 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, although some such as the Palm Springs Smoketree Village location will open as early as 5 a.m. Central store areas will remain open until 10 p.m., although departments such as bakery, deli and meats will close at 4 p.m.
Albertsons — 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The main stores at the Coachella Valley’s four Albertsons’ locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Associates at the 74-0590 Highway 111 location in Palm Desert noted that some departments may close as early as noon.
Aldi & Trader Joe’s — Closed
Despite their German ownership, both of these grocery chains will, as always, be closed for the second-most American holiday (If you can’t think of the first, you might end up getting haunted by the ghost of George Washington).
Grocery Outlet — (Mostly) Closed
Three of the discount grocer’s four Coachella Valley franchises will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Multiple associates at the La Quinta location said that store will “probably” be open on Thanksgiving day, opening at 7 a.m. and likely closing sometime around 5 p.m.
Vons — 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main store areas at the 115-year-old grocer’s three Coachella Valley locations will be open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Specialty departments such as deli, bakery and meats will likely close earlier — around 1 p.m. — and have limited service throughout the day. Store associates recommended placing orders for items like specialty cuts of meat ahead of time to ensure availability.
Stater Bros. Markets — 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Coachella Valley’s most prolific grocery chain has trimmed its Thanksgiving Day hours to 5 p.m. this year. All departments at the grocer will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., although store associates recommend calling ahead for items like meat orders.
Cardenas Markets — 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Hispanic grocer’s three Coachella Valley locations have among the best Thanksgiving Day hours for last-minute shopping. All departments will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the holiday.
Vallarta Supermarkets — 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This specialty Latino supermarket is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Some departments, such as the kitchen, will close around 4 p.m., according to store associates, while others, such as meats, will close around 5 p.m.
El Super — 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
This Hispanic grocer’s Indio location has among the best Thanksgiving Day hours in the Coachella Valley. It will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to store associates, with most departments like meat and bakery closing around 7 p.m.
Jensen's Finest Foods — 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both of the small grocery chain’s Coachella Valley locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, including all specialty departments.
Whole Foods Market — 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Amazon-owned supermarket's Palm Desert location will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. The store's restaurant — The Barn Door Tap Room — will be closed for the holiday.
Smart & Final — 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The warehouse-style grocer’s three Coachella Valley locations (R.I.P. Smart & Final Palm Desert; you are missed) will be open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.
Sprouts Farmers Market — 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Natural and organic foods enthusiasts will need to get their last-minute shopping done by early afternoon at Sprouts’ single Coachella Valley location in La Quinta. The store, including all departments, will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, according to store staff.
Gelson's — 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The high-end grocer’s Rancho Mirage location will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on turkey day, including all departments.
Bristol Farms — 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Those in the market for “gourmet” groceries and to experience the “Theatre Of Retail” (we’re also not entirely sure what that one means) are in luck. Bristol Farms’ Palm Desert location will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
Walmart, Costco & Target — Closed
Despite their typical all-weather availability, Walmart and Target will be closed on Thanksgiving Day for the third year running after kicking off the practice amid the depths of the pandemic in 2020. Costco, in keeping with longstanding practice, will also be closed on Thanksgiving day.
James B. Cutchin covers business in the Coachella Valley. Reach him at james.cutchin@desertsun.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: What Palm Springs-area grocery stores are open Thanksgiving Day 2022?
