Christmas hours for grocery and retail stores

Most businesses close early on Christmas Eve and are closed on Christmas Day but there are select grocery stores, convenience stores and national restaurants that are open on Dec. 25 this year. Following is a list of locations in case you need to make a last minute trip to the store.

Hours may vary within the same chain. Your best bet is to check the website for the store to verify the hours for your closest location.

Triangle restaurants serving holiday meals in-person, to-go

Each year when I post this list, I hear from readers who are upset that every single place of business is not closed on this holiday. I encourage you to remember that for some of our neighbors, it is very beneficial that these businesses are open.

* They allow our essential workers to gas up on the way to and from work.

* They give folks a place to grab a bite to eat after a long shift at the hospital or fire station, for instance.

* They offer a place to purchase over-the-counter medications for a sick family member or friend.

* Finally, as more than one reader has pointed out, not everyone celebrates Christmas, including some of the store owners who chose to keep their businesses open.