Many establishments will be closed or have revised hours for New Year’s Day, impacting shopping and services across the region. Here’s what consumers need to know about which businesses are open and closed from December 31 to January 2.
Shopping centers will operate on December 31, with hours ranging from at least 8 AM to 5 PM, but they will be closed on January 1. Most will resume normal hours starting January 2. According to reports, the SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) will close its locations on January 1, after being open until 5 PM on December 31, and only SAQ Express stores will be accessible from 1 PM to 10 PM on January 2.
The SQDC (Société québécoise du cannabis) will follow suit, closing on January 1 after their December 31 schedule of 10 AM to 5 PM. Regular hours will resume on January 2, similarly to the SAQ. Grocery stores will largely close as well on New Year’s Day, but smaller grocery outlets may remain operational. Pharmacies may operate under reduced hours, with some remaining open on January 1, particularly those located outside shopping malls, which will be entirely closed.
Fast food joints and some sit-down restaurants may choose to stay open on January 1, but customers are advised to check availability as schedules can vary. Meanwhile, banks and Post Canada offices will both close their doors on January 1, along with government offices, making it important to plan accordingly for any banking or mailing needs during the holiday.
The Cinémas will operate through the holidays, providing entertainment options for moviegoers. Ski resorts, like Vallée du Parc, will be closed on January 1 due to poor weather conditions, but will reopen at 9 AM on January 2. Ice rinks may face closures based on weather as well; the BLEU BLANC BOUGE rink will be closed on January 1, but reopen shortly afterwards on January 2.
For those using public transit, the STTR (Société de transport de Trois-Rivières) will operate with specific schedules: the last departures on December 31 will be around 7 PM, and there will be no services on January 1 and 2. Shawinigan’s public transport will likewise not function on January 1, but normal Sunday schedules will apply on December 31 and January 2.
Overall, the New Year period brings changes to normal operating hours, and consumers are encouraged to check individual store hours before heading out. The closures and limited services during this holiday season are quite typical.