Last Full-Size Kmart Store to Close

The last full-size Kmart store in the mainland United States, located in Bridgehampton, New York, will close on October 20, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant discount retailer. This closure will leave only a smaller Kmart store in Miami, Florida, and a few locations in Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Kmart, famed for its 'Blue Light Specials,' once operated over 2,000 stores nationwide but struggled to compete with Walmart, Target, and the rise of e-commerce. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2002 and again in 2018, leading to its acquisition by Transformco. Despite efforts to revitalize the brand, the merger with Sears and the continued decline in sales led to the gradual shuttering of stores.