Why This Sioux Falls Grocery Story Opens on Christmas Day

Franklin Food Market has been in Sioux Falls since 1949. However, I was introduced to Franklin Food Market this past Summer.

I've lived in Sioux Falls for a while now, but Franklin Food Market isn't really in my neighborhood. It's located at 711 North Cliff Avenue in Sioux Falls. When I did stumble upon it, I was very pleasantly surprised.

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Is There a Grocery Store Open in Sioux Falls on Christmas?

711 N Cliff Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57103 (Google Maps)

The store is big enough that it has a full meat counter and enough variety to get what you need, but small enough that we really got to know our cashier. So much so, that she actually hooked us up with Sioux Falls Canaries tickets because she was a season ticket holder! Went in for some chips and left with a four-pack of Canaries tickets. And they were good seats too! Behind home plate!

Because of that interaction, I am not at all surprised at the fact that this locally-owned grocery store is open on Christmas.

Now, before you get snarky and think it was a money grab or they were forcing employees to work on a holiday, Laurie from Franklin Food Market said on Facebook, "Every year some concern is expressed as to why we are open on Christmas Day...we want you to know exactly why we open for a few hours on Christmas Day."

"No matter what the reason, by opening our doors we made a difference in someone's life, employees and customers alike"

Laurie adds that at first management wasn't keen on the idea, but when the reality of the situation was explained they got on board.

"I explained to him that some of our younger employees had nowhere to go on Christmas and would essentially be spending the day alone," she said. "My family did not celebrate on December 25th because of out-of-town family members...[So] I was more than willing to work for a few hours with my "other family" (Franklin employees), especially since it meant those employees that would have been alone would be with people they knew and ones that cared about them."

Laurie said that when they first started opening on Christmas Day, people really appreciated it.

"We opened that first Christmas Day not knowing what to expect, but were overwhelmed by the graciousness and thankfulness of the customers who came through the door!"

Franklin Food Market is open from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM on Christmas Day

"People whose plans had unexpectedly changed, people who forgot their family was all coming over (yes, it does happen), people who forgot little things to make their meal complete, but the ones who were the most grateful were the older people; the people that had no family around and stopped by just to see someone; the people that found themselves at the hospital with a loved one and just wanted something they could grab and eat...those people were the reason we were here!"

"The years have passed but our commitment to serving you with our volunteer staff is continuing this year when we open our doors to greet you from 8:00 a.m.~ 2:00 p.m," she said.

I don't know about you, but that made me tear up at my desk.

Christmas may be over this year, but you can keep that spirit alive all year long!

Also, maybe swing by Franklin Food Market and show this local grocery store some love.

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Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns