The Kansas City, Kansas, Kmart store at 7836 State Ave. is on a closing list announced today by Sears Holdings.
About 142 stores nationwide are on the list to close near the end of the year, according to the announcement. The owner, Sears Holding Co., is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
These stores are in addition to a previously announced closure of 46 stores that is expected to be completed by November 2018.
Liquidation sales at the stores are expected, according to the announcement.
The number of employees affected at the Kansas City, Kansas, store is not available, according to a spokesman. A manager at the local store did not have a comment.
A Kmart store at 7100 N.W. Prairie View Road in Kansas City, Missouri, also is on the closing list announced today.
A Salina, Kansas, Kmart store also was on the closing list, along with Kmarts in Florissant, Missouri, and St. Joseph, Missouri.
The closing list also included some Sears stores throughout the nation, none in Kansas and Missouri.
The Kmart store at 78th and State, one of the busiest intersections in Kansas City, Kansas, is up to date on paying its property taxes of $113,391 and it has an appraised value of $2.8 million, according to the UG’s real estate tax information.
A Sears Holdings news release today stated that the company and some of its subsidiaries have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
Sears Holdings stated that it is taking a series of actions to establish a sustainable capital structure, continue streamlining its operating model and grow profitably for the long term.
The company intends to continue to pay employee wages and benefits, honor member programs and pay vendors and suppliers as usual, according to the news release. The company’s loyalty programs are expected to continue, according to the news release.
Kmart and Sears plan to remain open through the holiday season, according to the news release.
The company reorganization will include the smaller-store concept, according to the news release.
The news release stated Sears Holdings is in discussions with ESL Investments, Inc. on a stalking horse bid for the purchase of a large portion of the company’s store base.
Why is this Kmart closing, it’s one of the most busiest stores in the Kansas City, Ks area. We don’t have to travel all the way to the Legends to do shopping. I wish you guys would keep this open.
Could we start a petition to keep the Kmart store on State Avenue open?
I would be more than happy to sign a petition to keep it open. But my understanding is that it’s because of Sears bankruptcy. I love our KCK store and everyone I talk to expresses interest in it staying open.
I agree with Jean. It is closing because of Sears filing for bankruptcy and is in a restructuring mode. Though I have not been a resident there for many years I have shopped there many times. With so many loyal customers losing their store it would seem beneficial for the Unified Government to get involved early in this process to seek out a future tenant for this building. At this location another store like Kmart should do well.
Could the WyCo/KCK urban development approach SHOPKO?