The Last Stand: Marshall’s Kmart Closes Its Doors
The final Kmart store in Michigan, located in Marshall, ceased operations in late November 2021, marking the end of an era for the iconic discount retailer in the state (Detroit Free Press, 2021). The Marshall store had been the last remaining Kmart in Michigan since 2020 (Freep, 2021).
Key Facts
- The last Kmart store in Michigan closed in late November.
- The Kmart in Marshall, Michigan, was the last one in the state.
- Before the closure, there were 134 Kmart stores in Michigan at the peak of the brand’s popularity.
- The original Kmart store, which was the birthplace of the brand, opened in Garden City, Michigan, in 1962.
- The Marshall Kmart survived as the only national big-box retailer in the immediate area.
- The Marshall Kmart store was 90,000 square feet in size and opened in the early 1990s.
- The Marshall Kmart store was located in the Marshall Plaza shopping center, which is one mile west of the city’s downtown.
- The Marshall Plaza shopping center is near a 1,600-acre site known as the Marshall Megasite, which is being marketed for industrial development.
- The new owner of the former Kmart building in Marshall, B. Riley Real Estate, plans to bring more retail to the site.
A Once-Thriving Empire
At the height of its popularity, Kmart boasted 134 stores across Michigan (Freep, 2021). The brand’s birthplace was Garden City, Michigan, where the first Kmart store opened in 1962 (Freep, 2021). However, the retail landscape shifted dramatically over the years, and Kmart faced increasing competition from rivals such as Target and Walmart (Detroit News, 2022).
The Marshall Store’s Resilience
Despite the decline of Kmart, the Marshall store managed to survive due to its unique circumstances (Freep, 2021). It was the only national big-box retailer in the immediate area, and it did not own the building it occupied, which prevented the company from selling the property (Freep, 2021).
A New Chapter for the Marshall Plaza
The former Kmart building in Marshall has been acquired by B. Riley Real Estate, which plans to redevelop the space and attract new retail tenants (Detroit News, 2022). The Marshall Plaza shopping center, where the Kmart was located, is situated near the Marshall Megasite, a 1,600-acre industrial development site (Detroit News, 2022).
Conclusion
The closure of the last Kmart store in Michigan symbolizes the changing retail landscape and the challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar stores in the digital age. While the Kmart brand may be gone from the state, the Marshall Plaza shopping center is poised for a new chapter with the arrival of new retail tenants.
References
- Detroit Free Press. (2021, November 21). The last Kmart in Michigan has shuttered its doors. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2021/11/21/last-kmart-michigan-has-shuttered-its-doors/8712075002/
- Detroit News. (2022, February 2). Michigan’s last Kmart store has a new owner after closing. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2022/02/02/michigan-last-kmart-store-has-new-owner-after-closing/9318267002/
- Freep. (2021, September 27). Last Kmart store in Michigan preparing to close. https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/2021/09/27/last-kmart-michigan-close/5882648001/
FAQs
How many Kmarts are left in Michigan?
**Answer:** As of November 2021, there are no Kmart stores left in Michigan. The last remaining store in Marshall closed its doors in late November.
When did the last Kmart in Michigan close?
**Answer:** The last Kmart in Michigan, located in Marshall, closed its doors in late November 2021.
Why did the last Kmart in Michigan close?
**Answer:** The closure of the last Kmart in Michigan was due to a combination of factors, including declining sales, increased competition from other retailers, and the changing retail landscape.
What is the history of Kmart in Michigan?
**Answer:** The first Kmart store in Michigan opened in Garden City in 1962. At the peak of its popularity, there were 134 Kmart stores in Michigan. However, the number of stores declined over the years due to factors such as competition and changing consumer preferences.
What is the future of the former Kmart building in Marshall?
**Answer:** The former Kmart building in Marshall has been acquired by B. Riley Real Estate, which plans to redevelop the space and attract new retail tenants.
What is the Marshall Plaza shopping center?
**Answer:** The Marshall Plaza shopping center is a shopping center located in Marshall, Michigan. It is home to a variety of retail stores and restaurants.
What is the Marshall Megasite?
**Answer:** The Marshall Megasite is a 1,600-acre industrial development site located near the Marshall Plaza shopping center. It is being marketed for industrial development.
What is the significance of the closure of the last Kmart in Michigan?
**Answer:** The closure of the last Kmart in Michigan symbolizes the changing retail landscape and the challenges faced by traditional brick-and-mortar stores in the digital age.