Fayette Mall, thanks for giving back the day

Published 11:30 am Wednesday, October 19, 2016

For the last couple of years, capitalism has been a family member invited to Thanksgiving dinner. 

After cutting the pumpkin pie, many families across the country race to get in line at their local stores for the next big deal.

However, the Fayette Mall in Lexington has decided to close for Thanksgiving, something that, in my opinion, should have always be the norm to begin with for big box businesses.

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For the last ten years Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving when deals are at their highest for the holiday season — has inched closer and closer to opening on Thanksgiving Day. 

Last year, according to U.S. News, Walmarts across the nation opened their doors at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. Duing this time  mothers, fathers and teenagers alike had to choose between keeping thier jobs and making a dollar to make ends meet, or to spend the time with their families — when they should be giving thanks with the ones they love. 

I myself, in college, worked on Thanksgiving. Not because I had the choice, but because I was told I would have to choose between working Thanksgiving or Christmas.

While not all employees in the work force are fortunate enough to have holidays off, it is great to see a big employer, like Fayette Mall closed for Thanksgiving. 

I don’t have to tell you, reader, the importance of seeing family on holidays. You never know when your time, or theirs, will end. Just yesterday, my boyfriend told me he found out his coworker had passed away. One day his 24-year-old cubicle neighbor was there and the next, gone. 

The holidays are crucial, and whether you spend that time watching an NFL game, carving the turkey, or catching up on your relatives coming out to visit, time well spent with family, is priceless. 

So, from a former holiday worker, thank you, Fayette Mall, for giving your employees time with their family, because you never know when it will be your last holiday with your loved ones.

Other businesses should take note and close for Thanksgiving as well, and give employees and shoppers the opportunity to only worry about spending time with the people they are thankful for.  It’s the right thing to do.