Last full-sized KMart store in the US closing

[bcla]

https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/19/business/last-kmart-closing-bridgehampton-new-york/index.html

Sounds like there are still going to be some mini-stores, although I'm not sure what the business model is. I think KMart still exists as a online retailer though.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I haven’t shopped in Kmarts donkey years!!
It’s funny as I was just asked by a friend if the one on 34th Street was still there. Used to buy Christmas lights and Martha Stewart housewares there.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Kmart is where I used to have to buy my school clothes and just about everything else. As a matter of fact, my quote under my senior photo in high school was "I got it at Kmart."

 

[soccerdad72]

I'm surprised it wasn't next door to that last remaining Blockbuster Video

 

[kyton]

Not owned by the same conglomerate but here in Australia, Kmart is still a massive business. So big, they recently merged with Target over here - so far they are still branded separately but Kmart brand Anko is slowly replacing other brands within Target.

 

[RedAngie]

I liked my local K-Mart. They did a massive remodel and update about ten years ago when many were starting to close.

It closed early 2022. Building is still vacant. I’ve heard some rumors about other store(s) taking the space but nothing definite yet. It’s in a busy shopping center.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Dad and I still miss Kmart very much. I think all three locations, one 5 or so mintes away and the other two, an hour away in different directions, are all still sitting empty.

 

[kymom99]

I worked at Kmart in high school/college. Met one of my best friends there. The store I worked at closed a while back and they just tore it down to build a new Kroger.

 

[Ning Ning]

I miss Kmart.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

It makes me kind of sad. It has been so long since I have been to one though. I remember going to Kmart regularly as a kid. Of course I also remember Woolco, Venture, Sears, and looking at the Sears Catalog. As a kid I always found it exciting and always wanted to go.

Geez I am old.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I used to love rushing through the store to find the Blue Light Specials.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Hate to see KMart go.
The stores here got junky and messy and shopworn.
Under-staffed.

Several friends actually had careers there and made OK money and benefits.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

I worked at Kmart in high school/college. Met one of my best friends there. The store I worked at closed a while back and they just tore it down to build a new Kroger.

Kroger points we get $1 off per gallon of gas.
Rude Union shop attitude employees, but they can be avoided at the self-check-out which I read in the WSJ may be disappearing in favor of cashier check out.

 

[_19disnA]

As I recall, they made a series of management blunders that basically put them out of business. When the CEO and others at the top know nothing about how to run they type of store, usually that ends up being the result as they run things into the ground and are clueless about the retail business. What happened with Sears reminds me of a similar situation. I consider Target a similar type of store and they seem well-run and stock the types of items people currently want to buy.

 

[Pooh2]

Ours closed about 10 years ago and is now storage units.
It always kind of smelled musty at our Kmart but it was the only place in town to put Christmas toys on layaway!

 

[dizneegirl]

Didn't know there were any left. DH and I both fondly remember getting deli sandwiches at Kmart when we were young - we were both fans of the ham sandwiches with thinly sliced onions and lettuce. And I certainly remember blue light specials. Our last store around here closed a decade or so ago, I think. Several of them became Rural King stores. And some just still sit empty.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

I also remember blue light specials. Over 20 years ago, my beloved late grandma and I sometimes enjoyed breakfast at Kmart. Dad and I years later most appreciated weekly surprise point offers. I miss those! I have a smalk throw blanket that cost 67 cents thanks to a sale and free Home department surprise points. I most enjoyed being sent $5 off $5 for example in toys for surprise points. That enabled me to get free or almost free toys for my church's Christmas toy drive.

Kmart also always had a selection of $5 and under vinyl seasonal tablecloths and some welcome mats, too. Dad and I still have a red wall clock in our kitchen that we got at Kmart.

 

[redlight]

I thought Kmart had disappeared a long time ago.