A Black and Blue Walmart 2.0

Walmart's Black Decor 2.0 is finally making it rounds to the Twin Tiers coverage area. Having stumbled upon a store in Clarion, PA with the new paint colors, I ventured into said store hoping to see the new decor in person. Expect I walked out disappointed that the decor on the inside was still Project Impact. So, upon knowing that this store in Montoursville had too received the new exterior, I figured I'd check it out. I wasn't holding very high hopes after that other store's experience. Thankfully, this store wasn't a waste of time as it did receive the new decor package.

While I have seen the decor in pictures via various Flickr users, I didn't want to make a final judgement until I saw it in person. I must say that this decor is a major step up from Cheap Impact, despite being of the same quality materials used for cheap impact. The problem I have with Black Decor 2.0 is the exterior paint job on some styles of supercenter locations. In my opinion, it just looks very ugly and unwelcoming in these particular designs.

Black Decor exterior on the Clarion, PA Walmart

Having the paint job on a smaller store like this one, which is obviously not a supercenter, doesn't look bad to me at all. I guess I like the fact that the blue actually highlights both the entrance and the Walmart logo in this instance.

Interior time:

The store has the same layout from before.

Since this store is basically Williamsport's Walmart too, little league traffic is expected. (That is if they don't go to the closer Kmart store first....)

Corner photo lab.

Pick up your Toys!

Linin' Up the Cars

Part of the sporting goods sign is cut out for the stockroom door.

Old Days of Walmart Pride

This particular sign is probably unique to non-supercenter stores.

Produce in the main actionway.

At least you're being thanked for shopping at your particular local store again.

Looking forward to seeing this come to my local store.

Former Kmart Supercenter #4745

An honorary Ohio county that is unofficially a part of the Twin Tiers coverage area.

Although this store is set to close within days, I thought it would be appropriate to take a look at the store before it started its liquidation sale. The following pictures are from a spring 2014 visit when this store was flourishing with activity. It really is a shame that this store is closing in all honesty.

This store was a prototype for super Kmart by being a supercenter located at a mall. It had previously been a plain '90s store attached to the mall. It was expanded upon by building on in the back.

Sears closed at the same mall in 2010 and allowed the auto center to relocate to the old PENSKE auto services attached to Kmart. It was nice to see the old  auto center actually in use.

Know that this store is closing, but here's a map of what its layout was.

We'll start with the supermarket portion of the store first.

Produce

Unbranded K-Cafe

Checkout lanes for the mall.

Another way of saying Thank You for shopping Super Kmart.

Entrance from the mall.

Seafood and Meats

Looking down the actionway in opposite directions.

Now for the rest of the store:

Actionway

Electronics and appliances.

Baby apparel

Sporting Goods

Layaway

Seasonal

Fitting Rooms

Pharmacy

Health & Beauty

Cosmetics

Little Caesars had opened in the former portrait studio.

Rating when during normal operation: 10 out of 10.
This store used space efficiently, was clean, and had lots of customers. Not to mention the fact that it was a supercenter where you could actually get all your food needs.

The only explanation I have to why this store is closing is that the lease is likely up and therefore it is closing. The business itself here did great as you can tell from the last photo. Unfortunately this wasn't enough to save this supercenter. With this closure along with Lorrain, OH and Taylor, MI, only two Kmart supercenters remain in operation in Mentor and Niles, OH. The Mentor store is in danger though as Meijer owns the property now.

EDIT: Apparently, the Meijer was unable to buy the property.