I went inside one of the last 4 Kmart stores in the US days before it closed down forever and found a nearly empty relic of a past shopping era

Brittany ChangApr 17, 2022, 19:58 IST

Brittany Chang/Insider

The fourth to last Kmart store in Avenel, New Jersey closed on April 16.
There are now only three Kmart locations across the US in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.

On April 16, Kmart closed its fourth to final location in Avenel, New Jersey, leaving just 3 Kmart stores open across the US, David Porter reported for the Associated Press.

Brittany Chang/Insider

On April 16, Kmart closed its fourth to final location in Avenel, New Jersey, leaving just 3 Kmart stores open across the US, David Porter reported for the Associated Press.

The company, once a household brand for American families, has seen a series of headwinds over the last several years.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Its former parent company Sears Holding filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And sales have continued to fall while ecommerce and other big box companies like Target and Walmart have dominated.

Brittany Chang/Insider

As profit has dwindled, so has the number of Kmart locations.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Kmart was once one of the US' largest discount stores. But over the past two decades, it has dropped from over 2,000 locations ...

Brittany Chang/Insider

… to just a three along the East Coast as of April 16.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I visited the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closed and found a nostalgic shell of what once used to be a large, bustling store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The Kmart, about an hour's drive from New York City, was as sizable as any big box department store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But instead of being greeted by colorful aisles full of assorted goods …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… the inside of this Kmart looked like it had been ransacked.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There were still reminders of the store's glory days, like the looming red "K" on the wall and the long shelf-lined aisles.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The speakers still played music and intermittent audio reminders of COVID-19 protocols …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… while the forward-looking Mother's Day cards continued to line the greeting cards rack.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But in reality, the New Jersey Kmart's heyday was already in the past.

Brittany Chang/Insider

There were notices of the Kmart's approaching closure both outside and inside the store, enticing buyers with the promise of big discounts.

Brittany Chang/Insider

One of the only signs of normalcy were the workers who were organizing whatever was left on the store's shelves.

Brittany Chang/Insider

But this wasn't enough to overcome the eerie feeling of a nearly empty store.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The bright overhead lights emphasized the rows of bare racks and shelves, a reminder of the big-box retailer's glory days.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Most of the store had already been cleared out and blocked off by caution tape.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And many of the sections that weren't taped off felt disorganized with piles of products scattered haphazardly around.

Brittany Chang/Insider

However, there were still plenty of shoppers picking at the skinny but discounted selection, which included clothing for people of all ages …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… American pantry staples …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… childrens' toys …

Brittany Chang/Insider

… and antiquated tech, like a yellowing cash machine and bulky printers.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Even the clothing racks once full of inventory were on sale.

Brittany Chang/Insider

And as they shopped, workers continued cleaning out the store and reorganizing the disheveled shelves as if its closure wasn't imminent.

Brittany Chang/Insider

Despite the present shoppers, workers, and remaining goods, the Kmart felt coldly vacant.

Brittany Chang/Insider

A store once packed with customers and a variety of products has since been reduced to only a few available items, stained floors, and barren aisles ...

Brittany Chang/Insider

... a reminder of the retail apocalypse's long-lingering effects.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The nostalgic brand that could once be found scattered throughout the country now only has three locations left in the US: Westwood, New Jersey, Bridgehampton, Long Island, and Miami.

Brittany Chang/Insider

The nostalgic brand that could once be found scattered throughout the country now only has three locations left in the US: Westwood, New Jersey, Bridgehampton, Long Island, and Miami.

Transformco, which now oversees Kmart, did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

Brittany Chang/Insider

I visited the Korean fried chicken chain that's set to expand rapidly across the US and ate some of the best wings I've ever had

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I went inside one of the last 4 Kmart stores in the US days before it closed down forever and found a nearly empty relic of a past shopping era

On April 16, Kmart closed its fourth to final location in Avenel, New Jersey, leaving just 3 Kmart stores open across the US, David Porter reported for the Associated Press.

The company, once a household brand for American families, has seen a series of headwinds over the last several years.

Its former parent company Sears Holding filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018.

And sales have continued to fall while ecommerce and other big box companies like Target and Walmart have dominated.

As profit has dwindled, so has the number of Kmart locations.

Kmart was once one of the US' largest discount stores. But over the past two decades, it has dropped from over 2,000 locations ...

… to just a three along the East Coast as of April 16.

I visited the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closed and found a nostalgic shell of what once used to be a large, bustling store.

The Kmart, about an hour's drive from New York City, was as sizable as any big box department store.

But instead of being greeted by colorful aisles full of assorted goods …

… the inside of this Kmart looked like it had been ransacked.

There were still reminders of the store's glory days, like the looming red "K" on the wall and the long shelf-lined aisles.

The speakers still played music and intermittent audio reminders of COVID-19 protocols …

… while the forward-looking Mother's Day cards continued to line the greeting cards rack.

But in reality, the New Jersey Kmart's heyday was already in the past.

There were notices of the Kmart's approaching closure both outside and inside the store, enticing buyers with the promise of big discounts.

One of the only signs of normalcy were the workers who were organizing whatever was left on the store's shelves.

But this wasn't enough to overcome the eerie feeling of a nearly empty store.

The bright overhead lights emphasized the rows of bare racks and shelves, a reminder of the big-box retailer's glory days.

Most of the store had already been cleared out and blocked off by caution tape.

And many of the sections that weren't taped off felt disorganized with piles of products scattered haphazardly around.

However, there were still plenty of shoppers picking at the skinny but discounted selection, which included clothing for people of all ages …

… American pantry staples …

… childrens' toys …

… and antiquated tech, like a yellowing cash machine and bulky printers.

Even the clothing racks once full of inventory were on sale.

And as they shopped, workers continued cleaning out the store and reorganizing the disheveled shelves as if its closure wasn't imminent.

Despite the present shoppers, workers, and remaining goods, the Kmart felt coldly vacant.

A store once packed with customers and a variety of products has since been reduced to only a few available items, stained floors, and barren aisles ...

... a reminder of the retail apocalypse's long-lingering effects.

The nostalgic brand that could once be found scattered throughout the country now only has three locations left in the US: Westwood, New Jersey, Bridgehampton, Long Island, and Miami.

Transformco, which now oversees Kmart, did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.