Shoppers pack stores on Thanksgiving Day

A long line of people waited outside the Best Buy on the Upper East Side for it to open Thursday. Some of them had been here for more than 24 hours. Why? $179 smart televisions.

Customers loaded up at Walmart in Secaucus, New Jersey. The store opened early, putting employees to work on the holiday. Jill Jensen came to buy some last-minute cinnamon for cooking. Another shopper came for Christmas decorations and bread for the turkey dinner.

The parking lot was packed at the Mills at Jersey Gardens outlet mall in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Most of the stores were open. Others chose to observe the holiday.

But this year, a slew of big-name chains stayed closed to allow their employees to enjoy Thanksgiving with their families. DSW, Home Goods, Loews and Ikea, all on long island, were all closed.

And if you were thinking about eating chicken on Thanksgiving, forget about it. Chick-fil-A in Hicksville was also closed.