When I first arrived on St. Croix, I was taken aback by the presence of a couple of Kmarts on the island, the only “big-box” stores in sight. It seemed like Kmarts had long faded away on the US mainland. Intrigued by their survival, I embarked on a quest to uncover the dwindling number of Kmarts still standing worldwide.
Answers varied as I spoke to others, ranging from three to twenty scattered around the world. Yet, regardless of the exact count, two Kmarts remained on St. Croix—a rarity in a landscape devoid of Walmarts, Targets, or Sam’s Clubs. These stores held a peculiar significance.
Recently, news broke that one of St. Croix’s two Kmart stores would be closing, along with five more Kmart stores on the mainland. This closure was attributed to Transformco, the company that acquired Sears Holdings and has been gradually shuttering stores since then. The fate of the employees and the relocation of the store’s pharmacy remain uncertain, leaving a cloud of sadness and uncertainty hanging over the community.
Rumors had swirled for years, fueling anxiety about the eventual closure of the territory’s Kmarts. These whispers gained strength during the COVID-19 pandemic when empty shelves and supply-chain issues exposed the vulnerability of many retailers. Back in 2017, Sears Holdings expressed “substantial doubt” about Kmart’s survival but showed little concern for the four Virgin Islands stores. In 2019, amid denial of imminent closure, Kmart hinted at a new plan to secure its future, but that promise proved elusive.
Once an emblem of American culture, Kmart’s decline traced its roots to shifting shopping habits, the rise of retail giants like Walmart, Target, and Amazon, and the company’s struggles to adapt. With their trademark Blue Light Specials and diverse offerings, Kmarts were once bustling destinations—a place where one could find toys, sporting goods, candy, and stationery. It was a social outing as much as a shopping experience, where hours could be whiled away. Yet, over time, Kmart’s vast empire crumbled, closing over 2,000 stores across the United States.
The closure of the Sunshine Mall Kmart brings the number of Kmarts in the US to a mere two on the mainland, three in the Virgin Islands, and only a handful elsewhere. The retail landscape has transformed, now dominated by the likes of Walmart, Target, and Amazon.
Kmart’s decline symbolizes an end of an era. Its Blue Light Specials, once an iconic symbol, beckoned shoppers to flash sales, and its layaway programs made shopping accessible for those without credit. For a while, Kmart offered a world of convenience, with back-to-school supplies, automotive services, and dining options all under one roof.
Soon there will no longer will we hear the familiar call of “Attention Kmart shoppers,” or witness the excitement that filled the air when the blue light illuminated a special deal. The memories of exploring its diverse departments, gathering back-to-school supplies, and finding treasures on the shelves.
A farewell bid… Attention Kmart shoppers, a bittersweet farewell bids us adieu, as the blue light special dims, a nostalgic hue. In aisles of memories of bargain hunts, now your doors close, a tale of retail history, forever to be told.
Note, the Sunny Isle Shopping Center Kmart will remain open for now, there have been no closing announcements for this store.
The pharmacy is vital on this island. I hope a new location of the pharmacy is found
I loved working for Kmart West, both the store and Lil Caesars. Employees all worked as a family, and 99% of customers appreciated us being there to assist them. It’s sad to see another box store, owned by a northern company, miss management, effecting our great island here. As the consensus asks, where will we shop when they come after the last store and so many northern stores wont ship here. Sad, sad day
when we visit our son who has lived in st. croix the past 9 years i shop at kmart quite often hate to see them close.
There is no mystery about the store counts. What a crazy article! There are 7 non-closing Kmarts and this information is available widely, online.
There has to be something like K Mart for the Fredriksted side of St. Croix USVI. I know the Powers that be do not want Walmart, but how about Only allowing One Walmart on the Island. My Heart is On St. Croix USVI>