Montreal Retail Stores Can Stay Open Later This Holiday Season, Says Plante

In a press conference on October 22, Mayor Valérie Plante announced that Montreal retail stores, including small businesses, would be able to extend their hours for the holiday season.

Starting on November 14, the city's retailers will be able to remain open until 10 p.m. on weekdays.

Retail stores and small businesses have the option to stay open until 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays as well. 

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Some businesses might not survive if we don't support them.

Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, in a press conference on October 22

The extended hours of operation will be permitted until December 31 — so no need to stress about finding last-minute New Year's gifts.

Plante is urging Montrealers to avoid big box stores for Christmas and holiday shopping in Montreal and to instead support local businesses, which have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extending business hours is just one of six new measures — a $6 million plan — put in place by the city to stimulate Montreal's economy, as local commerce has been "strongly affected" by COVID-19. 

The mayor hopes these measures, which also include the addition of free parking, will drive customers toward local commerce — which means they could make good use of those extended store hours.