By Kevin Williams
Okay, sorry, gotta do it. Was travelling recently and stumbled upon one dead Kmart and one almost dead Kmart. I do promise that one of these days I'll tell my story about Kmart and why I am so fixated on them. I do have a very good reason. But it's a long, convoluted one and I need to edit and polish the story more before I post it. So you add my very valid reason, plus the simple sentimentality of this waning retailer and, yea, you get me having a bit of a fascination with Kmarts. I wrote about Kmart a couple of weeks ago and it was bad enough when Sharon in Bangor, Maine informed that their city's Kmart is closing, but I just really didn't like to hear from Clauda in Madawaska that THEIR Kmart is closing. I've been to that one and it seemed so busy.
Just for kicks, I Googled Kmart in my area and there are a couple left in the city of Dayton and none in Cincinnati proper. A couple hang on in the suburbs. Man, they are a rapidly sinking ship, I fear.
By the way, there is a really, really good book (seriously, I bought it once at a used book sale...I thought it'd probably be a real snore, but it was a $1 so I thought `why not'...the book is REALLY good and it outlines everything NOT to do in retail.) You can get the book from Amazon used for some good prices here.
This book chronicles the retailers downward spiral...can they recover? I hope....
I passed this now dead Kmart in the town of Springboro, Ohio. SIGH, sad, empty plaza now....
I actually went about 10 miles out of my way last week just so I could see this Kmart again. It was the "crest of my career", the high water mark here at this Super Kmart. Super Kmarts were an experiment by Kmart to compete with Walmart. The first Super Kmart rolled out in 1991 in Medina, Ohio. Super Kmarts would compete with Walmart by carrying a whole line of groceries. At one time there were close to 60 Super Kmarts as they began converting many stores from the "Big K" format to "Super K"...but the is over and most Super Ks are being dismantled. This one was in 2010. There may be one or two Super Kmarts still operating, if you know of one let me know!
The Hillsboro Kmart has used white sheets to "wall off" the unused grocery part of the store. Not the most attractive layout in the world.
SIGH, I fear this Kmart won't last much longer...A Walmart Super Center is only a mile or two away and plenty of other retail options in this small town.
Kevin
Yep, sad...although at least the building isn't empty...
jodie updike
I love K Mart. But here in Springfield, MO and Branson, MO the last two K-Marts are closing.
I will surely miss them.
jodie
jodie updike
I love K Mart. The one left in Springfield, Mo is closing, also the last one in Branson, MO is closing.I surely will miss them
jodie
Kevin
Sad to hear, Jodie....Springfield is a neat town, I'll have to do a post about my one visit to Springfield sometime...
Nana
The Kmart in St. Clairsville is scheduled to close in March. There is a Kmart in Cambridge OH. but I worry about its viability.
Kevin
Bummer, about St. Clairsville....I used to travel a lot more than I do now and St. Clairsville was always sort of my stopping point on eastbound trips...there's an "Eat N Park" there that I like to stop at and often I'd bunk down for the night at one of the many hotels there...The Kmart in Cambridge used to be one of the Super Kmart formats, I do hope that one hangs on....
Vickie Shaw
The one is Xenia has been torn down, It has been empty for a while now. I remember when it was built back in 1974- 75. It was orginaly S.S. Kessges. Not sure if I spelled the name correctly. I loved the small store , it had a diner and pet area with live fish, and a turnsile. The Kmart had a restaurant in the back of the store . My mother and I would often have lunch there as a treat..
but when Wal-Mart came they just couldn't compete with them. My friend who lives in Wilmington Ohio work in that KMart until it closed and then stayed with the company driving to Grove City a 117 Mile round trip every day for years then they(Kmart) did away with her position, So she retired and waited 60 days and reaplied and was hired for a new position at a lower rate of pay. But she lives it there.
Vickie Shaw
I did proof read what I wrote and still made misteaks. in the last line it should be LOVES.
Kevin
That is a fairly long drive to make every day, glad she likes it there!
Pam
I work at the site of the old Ridge K-Mart in Cincinnati. It stood empty for years and finally was torn down. Our company built on this property and now there is no sign whatsoever that a K-Mart once stood here.
Kevin
On the bright side, at least the property is being used....better than an old, vacant store just sitting there...
Xaviere
There is still one in Erlanger, KY. It is about a 15 minute drive from work, once in a while I will go in there for certain items (toiletries, towels, and clothing). I used to enjoy going in Kmart while growing up, but it seems like the staff has given up with the upkeep with this location. Last time I went in there I was afraid of getting bedbugs, because it looked so unkept. (I know it can happen anywhere, but sometimes it just feels that way in a dirty location.)
Sears and Kmart (most people should be aware they are under the same company) has been declining for awhile. Hopefully they can get some fresh leadership to help turn the company around.
Kevin
I hope the one in Erlanger can hold on, but I have my doubts....it is pretty much that one and Harrison is all that is left in Greater Cincy