Lakewood Bon-Ton Liquidation

This particular Bon-Ton, located outside Jamestown in Lakewood, NY, was a location that I enjoyed in particular while documenting most Bon-Ton stores in the area. It was built during 1997 making use of a former Woolworths to gain access to the Chautauqua Mall. Not much more to say than that, so I shall let the pictures do the talking.

Kmart #4726

Today we dive into another Kmart. This store, just like the Olean location, is also a '90s location. There are a few differences between it and the Olean store, the biggest the layout being reversed. There are other differences which will be discussed later in the post. Serving the city of Jamestown and the Lakewood community which it lies closer too, this store seems to be doing all right. Its only special feature is a pharmacy. It once had space for a cafe, but that area has since been walled off, literally. 

Closeup of the entrance. Note this store has the 'Big K' sign up where Olean does not.

Both the Olean and Lakewood stores were built as stores intending to eventually become supercenters if word came. Olean would have a harder time however as there really isn't much room to expand. Lakewood however does:

Kmart building on the right.  Wegmans on the left. I previously did a post on this particular Wegmans location back in December 2015. Wegmans is likely the reason why this Kmart never expanded.

Moving into the store itself we will start with the entryway, former 1-hr photo and cafe area. Followed by the customer services and former portrait studio areas.

Good reuse of an older tagline found on endcaps.

The old 1-hr photo seems to serve as excess space for whatever. On one occasion it was used as a 'camping corner' while on another visit it had more clothing for sale.

There is also this wavy blue line in here for some reason. Best guess is that it had something to do with the 1-hr photo lab.

Most locations would place customer services in this space next to what would be the cafe, but this store does not. It instead has customer services in the area it would be if this store was a supercenter. (As will be seen later)

It was interesting to see that this store also used to have curtains blocking customer access into the former cafe itself, but now instead has actually put up a wall. Most stores keep the curtains. Obviously the wall is better, but it looks kind of tacky.

Previously at the Lakewood Kmart

Peeking through the curtains in the past.

The current use.

At least it isn't a curtain wall!

I find this to be a little tacky.

A look from the former cafe out to the rest of the store.

As mentioned before, the customer service desk is located in the position it would need to be at if this store were to be a supercenter. The old Olan Mills portrait studio is also located in the correct space as well.

The doorway to the portrait studio was located to the left of the recycling machines.

Portrait Studio Peek

The checker tile is also a supercenter indication.

Looking at the left side of the store. Layaway is toward to the background on the left here.

Clothing

You'll notice the little hangers on the wall here. Apparently these were used to hold up signs for brand names depending upon which department was below.  Kind of similar to what the garden shop (see next picture below) of this location does, without the green stripe. These signs would also be on a white background.

 Quite a few ''90s price scanner signs are still 'hanging' around at this store.

The following three pictures are taken from three separate visits showing the change of Kmart's electronics department.

Original layout

Transition

Half of electronics is now appliances.

A look at the store's front actionway.

I conclude the pictures with two more interesting things that were found at this store:

This store uses a different style of price-tags then what I'm used to seeing.

Rating: 6 out of 10. Despite being well stocked and kept clean, this particular Kmart is not the busiest of stores. It seems to be holding on, so it must get enough business to survive.

In Danger of Closing?: In my opinion, this one is a toss up. If you recall, this store was one of 100 stores that mysteriously vanished off of Kmart's state locator. I personally wondered if that list was a hint at possible store closures. At this point in time, a few of those stores which were on that list have closed or announced closures, but not in the Twin Tiers coverage area. I imagine this store barely manages to hang on at times.