Norma’s Hair Salon
“Everyone wants to look nice for Thanksgiving,” said Karla Menjivar, the manager at Norma’s Hair Salon, explaining why they stay open. “We get a lot of rush clients and the stylists know that beforehand and that is why they don’t take the day off.”
On cue, two women walked into the salon and asked for a wash and blow dry, and Menjivar settled them in.
“We will probably have to close a little later than expected,” she said.
Menjivar’s parents own the Norma’s Hair Salon and the whole family plans on celebrating Thanksgiving later today.
“My grandmother is starting to cook now,” she said with the relief of someone not having to cook.
Golden Gate Market
Beverly Masri greeted a customer who walked in and bought Pringles and water.
Masri said she stays open on on the holiday because many of her customers come in to buy last minute items.
“My customers ask about chicken broth or butter that they couldn’t get at a closed grocery store.”
As for her plans, Masri said she doesn’t have any – she’ll work until the store closes at 10 p.m.
Street Tamales
Marcella Ruiz came to United States from Mexico only a year ago but she plans on celebrating Thanksgiving with a dinner at home with her family.
“But we are going to eat chicken,” she said.
Ruiz sells tamales and Champurados at the corner of the 24th BART Station and said that a surprising number of customers stopped by today.
La Santenca De La Mission
La Santenca De La Mission was busy and Rocio Cano was running around the restaurant filling out order after order.
“We have a lot of customers here today,” she said.
“I don’t celebrate it (Thanksgiving) so I don’t mind working today,” she said and ran to seat a family of three.
The Phoenix Bar
The New England Patriots and the Detroit Lions’ game was nearing a close with the Patriots leading. Seven customers were at the bar watching the game.
“We wanted a place to watch some football and get something to drink,” said Dan Blanchard, a customer. “I wandered everywhere and I came here because everywhere else was closed,”
The Phoenix will stay open till 2 a.m tomorrow. Erin Young, the manager said that because this is a neighborhood bar they wanted to keep their doors open. To meet expectations, they added a traditional turkey dinner to the regular menu.
“A lot of single people who could not go home come as well as families,” she said adding that it’s fun to work on Thanksgiving. Her sister works at the bar as well.
“We volunteered to work here together so we can spend the day together,” she said.
SF General Hospital
Danny, who asked that his last name not be used, works as a patient handler (the person who helps the nurses lift and position patients). He was running to catch up with his co-workers for their potluck Thanksgiving dinner.
“Its not bad to work on holidays. There is food, fellowship and it doesn’t hurt that we make a little more money on the holidays,” he said.
