Local merchants are opening their doors for last minute shoppers on Christmas Eve, but will be closed for the holiday.

Ward and Co. owner Mike Ward said they will open today from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with specials on clothes throughout the store.

“There’s a big sales rack of jackets in the front,” Ward said.

Ward and Co. will resume normal store hours on Friday.

Marrianne Dubose said Pink Peppers will be open today from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and back to normal hours on Friday.

Allen Walker said that Walker’s will be open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Walker said all Christmas items and ornaments are 40 percent off, and all Sorelli gifts and home accessories are 30 percent off.

Christopher’s will be open today from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The area big box stores Walmart, Goody’s and JCPenney will also be open for Christmas Eve shopping.

Walmart General Manager Christie Burns said the store will close at 8 p.m. today and reopen at 5 a.m. on Friday.

Kala Ison, assistant manager at Goody’s, said the store will be open today from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and will open again on Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Ison said the store hours for Saturday will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7 p.m.

JCPenney will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, according to Store Manager Tameka Belcher.

Belcher said the store will open again on Friday from 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.