Kmart #7129

This month's Kmart is once again located inside a former Grants. The interesting thing about this store; however, is the fact that it was once attached to a mall that no longer exists. The only reason to why itself still exists at the moment is due to the fact that its lease has yet to expire. You see the former mall site is being redeveloped into a medical campus called Vernon Place after the mall became dead a few years back. Kmart, the only store still operating at the site, has a lease that runs through next year. More than likely this store will sadly be closed as Vernon Place has no intention on renewing the lease even with the help that was promised to help find a new location for Kmart.

Here's a view of the future hospital.

Kmart-ified Grants

Possible former entrance for a restaurant.

Old Auto bays

While this not new currently, it was when the picture was taken.

We're open! We're open!

Being a former Grants inside a mall, this store has a very unique layout compared to others.

Home Office is in the back of the store, while books is up front. Sorry about the confusion. I apologize for this error.

Let's get started with the interior tour:

I'm fairly certain that the furniture department was an old restaurant for Grants. Not only would the door mentioned earlier lead into this general area, but the restrooms are back here also.

No Access to this door.

Actionway on the left side of the store.

The garden shop is tucked in behind health and beauty and seasonal.

Only older store I know of to have an opening wall from floor to ceiling for the garden shop's entrance from the store. Some of the 2000-2002 built store did this as well.

Seasonal

Back left corner of the store.

90s Auto Center signage still intact!

Likely the old auto center's entrance.

Two different decor packages from two different eras.

Actionway between Toys (on the left) and grocery

The store doesn't have an actionway running through the middle of the store between these two departments as most would.

Housewares & Bedding Actionway division.

Nice price scanner sign on an old one.

Although the sign would imply otherwise, no appliances to be seen.

Layaway

Back Actionway

The store still manages to fit a big and tall department in. Smaller stores often lack this department.

Fitting Rooms

This actionway runs perpendicular to the store's entrance connecting the left actionway to the right.

Childrens' clothing and Infants Basics.

Old Mall entrance.

Womens

That concludes my visit to the Meadville Kmart.

Rating: 7 out of 10. Although it is a smaller and more cramped location, this store still gets enough business to support itself. Even though it was cool to finally have finally see the two older automotive signs from a retro perspective, a shopper could be turned off by the 90s auto center sign still in place.

Is This Store in Danger of Closing? VERY LIKELY. This store's lease expires next year and the owners have already stated they will not be renewing it.

Footnotes:
1. The plans submitted for development have the existing Kmart building being torn down for a parking lot to the medical campus despite the fact there already is plenty of parking.