West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee Inc. will close its 285 retail stores on Thanksgiving, the grocery chain announced. For the past several decades, the retailer has kept its stores open. “The last several years have been some of the most challenging our employees have experienced and this is our way of showing our appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis to serve our customers,” Jeremy Gosch, CEO and president of Hy-Vee, said in a prepared statement. “By closing our stores on Thanksgiving Day, we can give back to our employees by providing them time to focus on their own celebrations.” The company has more than 80,000 employees across eight states. The company’s move includes all Hy-Vee grocery stores, Dollar Fresh Markets, Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh, Wall to Wall Wine and Spirits and Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits. Customers will still be able to pay at the pump for fuel at all Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh locations on Thanksgiving Day.