The Kmart store in Avenel, New Jersey, will close permanently this week. There will only be three Kmarts left in the United States when it does.
At one time, Kmart employed more than 300,000 people and had 2,440 stores.
Michael Lisicky has authored several books about legacy department stores and regularly visits the remaining Kmart stores. He is sad about the closing of the retail chain and says it is a piece of "Americana."
Kmart's decline has been slow but steady, brought about by years of falling sales, changes in shopping habits, and Walmart's looming shadow.
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