Former Kmart #4362

NOTE: This post comes from outside the blog's coverage area.

    Our last upstate NY Kmart to tour brings us to New Hartford, NY. Located just outside Utica, this location had already been announced for closure by the time I visited. Liquidations had not begun yet though. At one time, this location had a cafe and pharmacy. This location was an early Kmart, so it had a neighboring Kmart Foods space. This location is now an At Home decor superstore. The former Kmart foods/Price Chopper space next door has become a Big Lots.

A Surviving Ben Franklin

 

    For the most part, Ben Franklin variety stores have vanished for the public scene. Walmart and Micheals both have history by their founders being involved with the chain before they would go on and start their own. Yet, there are some locations that continue to hang on for whatever reason. Some have adapted to become tourist traps (looking at you Nags Head, NC) while others continue with the traditional general merchandise. Today's post takes you on a tour of the Ben Franklin store in Clarkstown, PA- which is near Muncy. 

Although known for being a variety store, Ben Franklin pushed to be more stationery, craft and decor focused in more recent decades. From my observations, I'd say about 1/2 of the store is just those categories. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to have helped a lot for the chain as a whole.

    Interestingly, this particular location had a pharmacy operate within it until recently. I have a suspicion that this was ran by an outside company as I'm not aware of other instances of this occurring.