It is great for restaurants to be open on Thanksgiving. Workers do shifts- they certainly have time for a home dinner. There is nothing sacred about needing to have a mid day meal. It is great for those with no family home to go to to have a place to be with others, even if at different tables. Otherwise what is a holiday for most becomes depressing- nowhere to go, home alone, no feast (really difficult to cook those many dishes especially for one).
The worst nursing shift for the holiday would be that night shift- likewise for other night jobs. You need your sleep to make dinner or even enjoy it. But- somebody has to do it and thanks to all who work those times the rest of us sleep!
Years ago I felt guilty that the local grocery store was open for a few hours but it sure helped for that last minute forgotten item. As for other stores- sure wish they would wait until Friday. Perhaps some of those store workers would rather work Thursday evening instead of needing to get to work at such awful hours for the big Friday rush of the past.