Christmas is one day of the year when most businesses and commerce comes to a stop.
For some, including the world's biggest retailer - Walmart - Christmas Day is the only day of the year they are closed for the entire day. Shopping malls, factories, grocery stores, banks, government offices, the stock market and most other workplaces are all shut down Tuesday as most families gather to celebrate Christmas.
But not all businesses are closed.
Last minute holiday shoppers needing batteries for that special Santa toy or wrapping paper for that last gift will find some local Walgreens and CVS stores open limited hours Tuesday and some convenience stores and gas station such as Circle K and Mapco still staying open.
With most people off work and some eager to get out the house, many local restaurants and most movie theaters also are open Tuesday, at least with limited hours. Those traveling on Christmas will find area Waffle Houses, Huddle Houses and City Cafe Diners open 24 hours, while the local IHOPs open at noon today. Many fine dining restaurants also are open to cater to those wanting a special Christmas meal, including Ruth's Steakhouse, Bridgeman's Chophouse in the Read House and the Beat + Barrell, among others.
According to a survey by Nation's Restaurant News, 6 percent of Americans now eat out on Christmas Day.
Despite the business potential of opening when others are not, some local restaurateurs have opted not to open Tuesday. Dunkin' Donuts franchise owner Dave Baumgartner, who operates 38 Dunkin' stores in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, said he decided not to open his local Dunkin' stores Tuesday.
"Christmas is a pretty strong sales day at a lot of stores that stay open, but I feel like our employees work really, really hard all year and Christmas is a really special day and important to spend with your family," Baumgartner said Monday.
By the end of Christmas Day after the relatives leave and the kids calm down, many people head to the movies so theaters are open Tuesday for what is typically one of their busiest movie nights of the year.
According to the National Association of Theater Owners, Thanksgiving is historically the busiest day of the year and Christmas is a close second.