ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Boscov’s department stores across the country — including the Ohio Valley Mall location — will be closed on Thanksgiving Day this year.

The company made the announcement Thursday, noting the measure is for the welfare of its patrons and employees following a long year of dealing COVID-19 concerns.

It also hopes closing on Thanksgiving Day will become a tradition again for other retailers as well.

“The pandemic has required enormous efforts from our associates and they’ve more than earned this time off,” Jim Boscov said. “In addition, I hope that closing on Thanksgiving Day once again becomes an industry tradition allowing our coworkers the ability to enjoy an uninterrupted Thanksgiving Day with their families.”

The retailer is planning to revise its shopping hours for the holiday season, along with planned deals.

The St. Clairsville Boscov’s is one of the most popular retailers at the Ohio Valley Mall, officials said, and is presently its largest department store. It has been a large draw for the mall, and its arrival coincided with an extensive mall renovation, which included a new main entryway, carpeting and more.

Joe Bell, spokesman for Cafaro Co., which owns the Ohio Valley Mall, said it is no surprise that Boscov’s has decided to close on Thanksgiving Day this year.

“As you’ll recall, pandemic-driven fears and staffing shortfalls forced just about every American mall, including Ohio Valley, to remain closed last Thanksgiving day,” he said. “It became clear back then that many retailers would probably continue the practice. Many were already abandoning the idea of operating on that day.

“We’re not terribly surprised that Boscov’s management has decided to forego Thanksgiving sales. Honestly, most retailers didn’t miss that sales day and easily made up those sales the following day.”

Meanwhile, the mall still is looking for a potential new tenant for the former Sears space. During the COVID-19 pandemic it has been used as a vaccination site by the Belmont County Health Department.

“As for the former Sears, our people are currently having discussions with several entities that might be interested in taking that space. It’s still too early in the process to mention any names,” Bell said.