Martin Luther King Jr. Day: What’s open and what’s closed in El Paso and beyond

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan officially declared Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday, but it wasn't until 1986 that it was celebrated that way. Since then, the holiday has allowed many Americans the day off to remember the legacy of the prominent civil rights leader. But it also makes it confusing to know what stores, services and buildings are open or closed.

Well, let this be your guide before you head out the door. Here's what's open and closed on January 20, 2020.

City/County of El Paso - open and closed

• El Paso City Hall and city administrative offices, as well as the El Paso County Courthouse and its related county offices are all closed.
• The following schools are all closed: UTEP, EPCC, TTUHSC, El Paso ISD, Socorro ISD, Ysleta ISD, Fabens, Gadsden, Clint, Canutillo, Anthony and San Elizario.
• These libraries and museums are closed: El Paso Public Library system, Museum of Art, Museum of Archaeology and Museum of History and Digital Wall.
• Other city services closed: Greater El Paso Landfill, all Senior Centers, Parks and Recreation pre-school and day care programs, Citizen Collection Stations, Public Health Department, Municipal Court and the Tax Office.
• City run places that are OPEN: El Paso Zoo, Animal Services Shelter ( 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and indoor pools and Recreation Centers (1 p.m. to 6 p.m.).
• Public Transit schedules: Sun Metro’s fixed routes including BRIO and LIFT services will operate on a normal schedule. Streetcar service will run at its regular times as well.
• Trash and Recycling schedules: Residential trash and recycling collections are not impacted by the holiday because trash and recyclables are normally not collected on Mondays.

Post office is closed

Minus a few select locations, US Postal Service offices will be closed. There will be no mail delivery to homes and businesses except for Priority Mail Express, according to USPS. If you need something delivered, UPS is open. FedEx is operating, but with modified service for FedEx Express and FedEx SmartPost.

Most banks are closed

A majority of US banks are closed because they follow the holiday schedule of the Federal Reserve System, which is the nation's central bank. That includes most Bank of America, Chase and Wells Fargo bank locations. But that shouldn't stop you from being able to take out some quick cash as ATMs and online banking will be operating. Also closed are the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.

What about the DMV?

Texas DMV offices will be closed, as they are government agencies. Same goes for courts and other nonessential government buildings.

Most retail and grocery stores, restaurants are open

You'll have plenty of options to choose from if you plan on using the day to do some shopping or eating out, as most big restaurant chains, retail stores and grocery stores will be open. That includes Costco, Walmart, Starbucks and Chick-fil-A. But check with your local retailers, as hours may differ by location.