Illinois’ Last One Closed In 2020, Now The Final US Store Closes

When you think about it, 62 years is a pretty good run for a store that at one time had over 2,400 locations scattered across the United States, and had made the phrase "blue light special" synonymous with bargains and things you could pick up cheaply.

Although the company itself can trace its origins back to 1899 with the opening of the very first S.S. Kresge store, the first opening of the stores that would feature a large red consonant proudly displayed above the entrance didn't happen until 1962 in Detroit.

Within four short years, the number of these discount stores had risen to 162, and corporate sales were at the $1 billion mark. At their peak, you could find almost 2,400 of the stores across the country.

However, by 2003, the wheels were starting to come off, and the company announced that they were closing over 300 stores nationwide and attempting to reorganize. As you may recall, things didn't get better. More closings quickly followed.

Kmart Stores Began Closing All Over The Nation, And That Included Every Single Kmart Location In Illinois

In February of 2020, Illinois' last remaining Kmart at 1155 E. Oakton Street in Des Plaines, announced that they would be closing their doors forever at the end of April, 2020. Shoppers flocked in to grab up bargains as the store emptied out its stock under the banner of "all sales are final," and that was a wrap for Kmart in Illinois.

So, at this point in 2024, we've got exactly...let me do the math here...carry the one...ZERO stores remaining, because the very last one in the United States is closing next month.

Other Than A Very Small Location In Miami And Scattered Locations In Guam And The US Virgin Islands, Kmart Stores Will Officially Become History On October 20th With The Closing Of The Last Location In New York

A coworker just commented to me that he thought he was just living in a place that didn't have any Kmart stores and didn't realize that there was only one left on the mainland of the United States until today.

If you or my coworker need some closure, you'll have to do some traveling to get it. The last Kmart is in Bridgehampton, New York, on Long Island, and they're calling it a day on Sunday, October 20th.