kmart closing stores : the last full-size Kmart in the U.S., is set to close on October 20 after 25 years of operation. This closure marks the end of an era for a once-thriving discount retailer that has seen thousands of locations shutter over the decades.
Opened in 1999 in a space previously occupied by Caldor, the Bridgehampton Kmart survived largely due to the lack of competition in the area. Locals appreciated its accessibility, catering to both blue-collar residents and affluent visitors. Southampton Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni noted that the store served a diverse clientele, from locals to the jet set.
The Kmart’s location at Bridgehampton Commons, a shopping center that also houses tenants like King Kullen and TJ Maxx, allowed it to thrive even as the chain dwindled nationwide. The closest competing big-box stores are over 20 miles away, as local zoning regulations discourage such developments.
As the store prepares to close, shoppers are taking advantage of closing sales, reminiscing about the convenience it provided. Kmart’s decline reflects broader trends in retail, with many attributing its struggles to a lack of innovation compared to competitors like Walmart.
With the Bridgehampton closure, Kmart will be left with just one small store in Miami and a few locations in U.S. territories, underscoring the dramatic fall from its peak when it boasted over 2,300 stores in the early 1990s.
