STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrated annually on June 19, serves as a significant day of remembrance. This date marks the liberation of the last enslaved African Americans in Texas back in 1865, occurring more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted.
In 2021, Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday, and it has since become synonymous with various festivities, parades, and moments of commemoration across the nation.
On this year’s Juneteenth, Staten Island’s services and operations will have a mix of adjusted schedules and standard offerings. For those utilizing public transit, the Staten Island Ferry will operate on a holiday schedule, providing service every 30 minutes at the top and bottom of each hour, dispatching from both terminals.
The Staten Island Railway will maintain its regular schedule, while other transportation options, including buses, subways, Long Island Railroad, and Metro North, will function under a typical weekday timetable.
In a notable exception, Alternate Side Parking rules will not be enforced for the holiday, although parking meters will still require payment.
In terms of sanitation services, the Department of Sanitation will not be collecting trash, curbside compost, or recycling on Juneteenth. Residents who usually have their trash picked up on Thursday mornings should hold their materials until the evening of June 19, as collections will resume on the morning of Friday, June 20. Recycling services will be delayed until the following Wednesday night, June 25, with a collection scheduled for Thursday, June 26. The city has advised residents that they may experience delays in collection services during this time.
Grocery stores and restaurants will largely remain open on Juneteenth. Major grocery chains such as Trader Joe’s, Stop & Shop, ShopRite, and Western Beef will operate during their regular hours.
As for banking services, banks that adhere to the Federal Reserve System’s calendar will be closed in observance of the holiday. U.S. Postal Service offices will also be closed, as they are on all federal holidays. Additionally, financial markets, including U.S. stock and bond markets, will not operate on this day.
Government offices, encompassing city, state, and federal entities, including the DMV, will also be closed. Both federal and state courts will not hold sessions, and New York City public schools will be closed as well. Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday for the Archdiocese of New York’s Catholic schools, which do not hold classes on this day.
In contrast, all public libraries within New York City will be closed for the holiday, while emergency services such as police, fire, and emergency medical services will function as usual.
Retail operations will vary, with many well-known retailers remaining open. Costco will maintain its regular hours alongside Target and Walmart, while Best Buy stores will be operational despite Juneteenth being recognized as a company holiday. Home Depot will also be available, though hours may differ by location.
Other retailers like Kohl’s, Lowe’s, Macy’s, and BJ’s will be open during standard hours, with Sam’s Club offering hours from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for Plus members and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for regular club members.
Lastly, the Staten Island Mall will be open, with most shops accessible from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., providing a space for communities to come together on this important day.
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