• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
RetailBlack Friday

Major Mall Developer Says It Will Close 72 Shopping Centers on Thanksgiving

Phil Wahba
By
Phil Wahba
Phil Wahba
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
Phil Wahba
By
Phil Wahba
Phil Wahba
Senior Writer
Down Arrow Button Icon
October 12, 2016, 4:41 PM ET
An employee arranges sweaters in a department store during the holiday season.
Photograph by Adam Berry—Getty Images

Black Friday will actually be on Friday this year as dozens of U.S. malls announce closings.

CBL & Associates, a major developer based in Chattanooga, Tenn., said on Wednesday that it’s closing 72 of its malls on Thanksgiving as opposed to opening at 6 a.m. on Black Friday. The developer, which owns or has an interest in 89 malls and open-air shopping centers concentrated in the South and Midwest, opened at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving last year, according to CNBC, which first reported the news.

That doesn’t mean all the stores will be closed as department stores, like Macy’s (M) and J.C. Penney (JCP), can keep their doors open so long as they have an exterior entrance to their store. Movie theaters, restaurants, and other tenants with outside entrances can also stay open, a spokeswoman told Fortune.

The news comes on the heels of Mall of America’s decision to close its door on Thanksgiving. In recent years, retailers have moved Black Friday sales up to the afternoon of Thanksgiving in hopes to get a jump on a five-week period that can generate 25% of annual sales. (Penney took that to extreme last year, opening at 3 p.m. on Turkey Day.)

 

Mall of America’s move was heralded by both labor activists and customers alike, who then gave the shopping center kudos for giving workers back a day that was a sacrosanct holiday not long ago.

“We think that for our employees and for the store employees, they deserve the day off and to be able to spend the day with their families,” CBL CEO Stephen Lebovitz told CNBC.

But there is clearly a business case to be made too: last year, retailers reported a disappointing Thanksgiving weekend, spurring talk that the earlier hours were simply shifting spending from one time to another and not making the spending pie any bigger.

Concern that Amazon.com (AMZN) had a leg up on closed stores has ebbed given how aggressive the traditional retailers have gotten online. (Last year, for the first time, more shoppers went online than to stores over the holiday weekend.)

Five years ago, it was standard for stores to start their Black Friday specials at 5 a.m. But by 2012, many stores began opening at midnight for the first time. And in subsequent years, the opening hours kept creeping up earlier and earlier. The one exception is Walmart, which has always been open to sell food (though the retail giant started its Black Friday deals at the same time as others).

The two largest mall developers, Simon Property Group (SPG) and General Growth Properties (GGP), have not announced whether they will close on Thanksgiving, nor have major retailers like Target, Macy’s, and Penney.

But if developers want to, CBL and Mall of America will have given them plenty of cover to do so.

Here is a list of the malls CBL is closing on Thanksgiving:

Acadiana MallLafayetteLA
Alamance CrossingBurlingtonNC
Arbor PlaceDouglasvilleGA
Asheville MallAshevilleNC
Brookfield SquareBrookfieldWI
Burnsville CenterBurnsvilleMN
Cary Towne CenterCaryNC
Chapel Hills MallColorado SpringsCO
CherryVale MallRockfordIL
Coastal GrandMyrtle BeachSC
College SquareMorristownTN
CoolSprings GalleriaFranklin (Nashville)TN
Dakota SquareMinotND
East Towne MallMadisonWI
EastGate MallCincinnatiOH
Eastland MallBloomingtonIL
Fayette MallLexingtonKY
Foothills MallMaryvilleTN
Friendly CenterGreensboroNC
Frontier MallCheyenneWY
Gadsden MallGadsdenAL
Greenbrier MallChesapeakeVA
Hamilton PlaceChattanoogaTN
Hanes MallWinston-SalemNC
The Hanover MallHanoverMA
Harford MallBel AirMD
Hickory Point MallForsythIL
Honey Creek MallTerre HauteIN
Imperial Valley MallEl CentroCA
Janesville MallJanesvilleWI
Jefferson MallLouisvilleKY
Kirkwood MallBismarckND
Lakeshore MallGainesvilleGA
Laurel Park PlaceLivoniaMI
Layton Hills MallLaytonUT
Mall del NorteLaredoTX
Mayfaire Town CenterWilmingtonNC
Meridian MallOkemosMI
Mid Rivers MallSt. PetersMO
Monroeville MallMonroevillePA
New River Valley MallChristiansburgVA
Northgate MallHixson (Chattanooga)TN
Northpark MallJoplinMO
Northwoods MallCharlestonSC
Oak Park MallOverland ParkKS
Old Hickory MallJacksonTN
Park Plaza MallLittle RockAR
Parkdale MallBeaumontTX
Parkway PlaceHuntsvilleAL
Pearland Town CenterPearlandTX
Post Oak MallCollege StationTX
Randolph MallAsheboroNC
Regency MallRacineWI
Richland MallWacoTX
River Ridge MallLynchburgVA
South County CenterSt. LouisMO
Southpark MallColonial HeightsVA
St. Clair SquareFairview HeightsIL
Stroud MallStroudsburgPA
Sunrise MallBrownsvilleTX
Triangle Town CenterRaleighNC
Turtle Creek MallHattiesburgMS
Dakota Square Mall Minot ND
Valley View MallRoanokeVA
Volusia MallDaytona BeachFL
Walnut SquareDaltonGA
West County CenterSt. LouisMO
West Park MallCape GirardeauMO
WestGate MallSpartanburgSC
West Towne MallMadisonWI
Westmoreland MallGreensburgPA
Wiregrass Commons MallDothanAL
York GalleriaYorkPA
About the Author
Phil Wahba
By Phil WahbaSenior Writer
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Phil Wahba is a senior writer at Fortune primarily focused on leadership coverage, with a prior focus on retail.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

Jamie Laing thinks tomorrow’s Fortune 500 will be built by creators. He might be right 
C-Suitecreator economy
Jamie Laing thinks tomorrow’s Fortune 500 will be built by creators. He might be right 
By Sam BirchallJune 10, 2026
3 hours ago
Matt Damon and Gary White.
EnvironmentWaters
Corporate America has been draining the world’s water. Matt Damon’s new campaign calls on Gap, Starbucks, and Amazon to help give it back
By Catherina GioinoJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Chinese beauty brands flock to Southeast Asia as their first step in going global
RetailChina
Chinese beauty brands flock to Southeast Asia as their first step in going global
By Angelica AngJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
John Furner, CEO, Walmart US
SuccessCost of living
Walmart CEO John Furner says even wealthy shoppers are now shopping at the discount grocery chain as high prices stretch six-figure earners
By Emma BurleighJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Gas over $4 looks like tipping point as Walmart customers don’t fill tanks, fast food loses cheapest diners
Retailgas prices
Gas over $4 looks like tipping point as Walmart customers don’t fill tanks, fast food loses cheapest diners
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressJune 7, 2026
3 days ago

Most Popular

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
Economy
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
By Nick LichtenbergJune 9, 2026
21 hours ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
Environment
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
By Sasha RogelbergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.