Updated: 4:20pm
Macy’s will break its 155-year tradition of being closed on Thanksgiving and instead jump-start the holiday shopping season by opening at least some stores while people are still eating turkey dinners that night.
The move by the retailing giant continues a shopping war in which stores have opened earlier and earlier on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. But this moves up the shopping frenzy to the night before.
Two employees at a Macy’s store in New York City’s Herald Square confirmed to TIME Monday morning that they had been told the store would open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving. One of the employees said workers had been informed of the change a few weeks ago, but that the Thanksgiving night shift is “not mandatory” for staffers.
Later Monday afternoon, Macy’s released an official announcement that most Macy’s stores around the country will open at 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving night, “after families across the country have finished their holiday meals and celebrations.”