(Photo By Flickr User Michael Ocampo)

According to The Associated Press and KSTP-TV, shoppers interested in hitting the stores on Thanksgiving Day this year might not have a chance to do so at Mall of America.

The decision to close the mall was made in an effort to allow employees to spend time with their family and friends that day.

In a letter issued to Mall of America employees and tenants, Executive Vice President Rich Hoge and Senior Vice President of Marketing Jill Resnlow said,

“In years past we’ve all rallied together to answer the call for 24/7 shopper access that the Thanksgiving/Black Friday weekend brings. However, it also meant that team members may not have been able to share the day with family and friends. That is why this year we have made the decision to close on Thanksgiving Day so that team members can put that energy where it matters most, into making memories with the people they care about most.”

The mall has over 520 stores and 15,000 people that work there. A spokeswoman for the mall said that they decided to close because they wanted to let the folks who work here to have the chance to spend Thanksgiving with their families. Shoppers agree.

Some tenants, restaurants and attractions may choose to remain open on Thanksgiving Day. The mall will also continue to host the Walk to End Hunger event Thanksgiving morning.

Meanwhile, Black Friday will begin at 5am with a “door opening ceremony” the day following Thanksgiving.