Landing that three-day weekend is the goal, but not always the reality, for many Quad-Citians celebrating the nation's 233rd birthday this weekend.

This year, with the actual holiday coming on a Saturday, how area businesses coordinate the day to accommodate customers and employees depends on where you work.

For instance, retail businesses handle it differently than some offices that simply will close Friday.

Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors, two Rock Island-based fraternal insurance organizations, both will close offices July 3 as the paid holiday day off for employees.

Rita Toalson, spokesperson for Royal Neighbors, said those who work four 10-hour days and normally have Friday off, will get today off for the holiday - meaning a four-day weekend for them. The rest get Friday off.

"Next year the Fourth of July will be on a Sunday and in that case, we will close offices on that Monday," she said.

Debbie Geisler, Quad-City marketing coordinator for Hy-Vee, said their managers work out holiday schedules. "It is a store decision. Each manager is given a lot of autonomy," she said. "The Fourth of July is a paid holiday. Some stores have different policies. Some want the manager working on holidays. Obviously they are busy times."

Darcy Jacks, director of mall marketing for SouthPark Mall in Moline and NorthPark Mall in Davenport, said both sites will close at 5 p.m. Saturday. "Typically, we are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on a holiday," she said. Full-time mall employees are able to take their floating holiday day off sometime next week, she added.

Pryce Boeye, president and chief executive officer for Hungry Hobo, said their stores will close at 3 p.m. July 4.

"We let the calendar fall where it does," he said. If a person is scheduled to work a day that happens to be a holiday, they still work that day. But those who do work this Saturday will be able to get off earlier than normal to enjoy some of the holiday with family.

Closing early "is more for the employees, but we also look at sales," Boeye said. "Sales fall off after lunchtime on the Fourth of July" when many people are at family gatherings and picnics.

John Riches, spokesman for Alcoa Davenport Works, said they work out days off based on regular schedules.

"For the salaried workers, it is a floating holiday, and most will take Friday off," he said. "For production folks in the plant, it all depends. If they are scheduled to work, they would work and get premium holiday pay. If they are not scheduled to work Saturday, they would get regular holiday pay for that day."

IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union branches will be open Friday but close Saturday, said Laura Ernzen, vice president of marketing. However, she said the two branches regularly open on Sundays - outside SouthPark Mall in Moline and Kimberly Road and Spring Street in Davenport - will be open this Sunday.

Mike Henson, regional president for Valley Bank, said all branches will be closed Saturday.

"When a holiday falls on a weekend, for those who normally get that day off, we give them a floating holiday. A number will take Friday off and ... get a three-day weekend," he said.