BANGOR – Holiday shoppers tempted by fliers advertising Thanksgiving sales should remember that most retail stores in Maine will be closed Thursday.

A state law prohibits retail businesses with more than 5,000 square feet of selling space and more than five employees from operating on Thanksgiving Day.

The national ads in newspapers and on television and radio may encourage shoppers to take advantage of special deals on Thursday because other states allow retailers to open their doors on the holiday.

Shoppers should read the fine print on fliers to find out when advertised specials apply. Many stores open early on Friday. The Bangor Mall, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Kohl’s and Toys “R” Us in Bangor, for example, all open at 5 a.m. on Friday. Epic Sports, Kmart and Target in Bangor are among stores that plan to open at 6 a.m. Friday.