Shoppers Bid a Wistful Farewell To The Last Kmart In Mainland U.S.

On Wednesday, Shahlise Cherry and her friend Deborah Arnone visited a store that symbolized a fondly remembered past and a pivotal chapter in American retail history.

The last full-size Kmart in mainland US was located in Bridgehampton, New York. I Photo: Matt Pollkiewicz Wikimedia Commons

They went shopping at the last full-size Kmart in mainland US, located in Bridgehampton, New York, which is set to permanently close its doors on Sunday, Chris Isidore reported for CNN.

Their shopping cart was filled with closeout bargains, including a coffee maker and a set of bowls—items they hadn’t initially planned to buy but couldn’t resist at a 70% discount.

“It was out of my loop for so long,” Cherry said, noting that she was once a regular shopper but had not visited in a while due to the store’s lack of needed items.

The closure of the Bridgehampton location marks the end of an era for Kmart, joining the ranks of other once-iconic retailers like Toys “R” Us, RadioShack, Pier 1, Bed Bath & Beyond, and most of what remains of Kmart’s corporate sibling, Sears.

These once-successful chains, which used to fill America’s malls and shopping centers, have struggled against competition from larger retailers, poor management, failed acquisitions by hedge funds and private equity firms, and shifts in consumer shopping behavior, leading to their decline.