The fourth to last Kmart store in Avenel, New Jersey closed on April 16.
There are now only three Kmart locations across the US in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Kmart's sales and locations have been dwindling throughout the last several years.
On April 16, Kmart closed its fourth to final location in Avenel, New Jersey, leaving just 3 Kmart stores open across the US, David Porter reported for the Associated Press.
As profit has dwindled, so has the number of Kmart locations.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Kmart was once one of the US' largest discount stores. But over the past two decades, it has dropped from over 2,000 locations ...
Brittany Chang/Insider
… to just a three along the East Coast as of April 16.
Brittany Chang/Insider
I visited the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closed and found a nostalgic shell of what once used to be a large, bustling store.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The Kmart, about an hour's drive from New York City, was as sizable as any big box department store.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But instead of being greeted by colorful aisles full of assorted goods …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… the inside of this Kmart looked like it had been ransacked.
Brittany Chang/Insider
There were still reminders of the store's glory days, like the looming red "K" on the wall and the long shelf-lined aisles.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The speakers still played music and intermittent audio reminders of COVID-19 protocols …
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… while the forward-looking Mother's Day cards continued to line the greeting cards rack.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But in reality, the New Jersey Kmart's heyday was already in the past.
Brittany Chang/Insider
There were notices of the Kmart's approaching closure both outside and inside the store, enticing buyers with the promise of big discounts.
Brittany Chang/Insider
One of the only signs of normalcy were the workers who were organizing whatever was left on the store's shelves.
Brittany Chang/Insider
But this wasn't enough to overcome the eerie feeling of a nearly empty store.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The bright overhead lights emphasized the rows of bare racks and shelves, a reminder of the big-box retailer's glory days.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Most of the store had already been cleared out and blocked off by caution tape.
Brittany Chang/Insider
And many of the sections that weren't taped off felt disorganized with piles of products scattered haphazardly around.
Brittany Chang/Insider
However, there were still plenty of shoppers picking at the skinny but discounted selection, which included clothing for people of all ages …
Brittany Chang/Insider
… American pantry staples …
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… childrens' toys …
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… and antiquated tech, like a yellowing cash machine and bulky printers.
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Even the clothing racks once full of inventory were on sale.
Brittany Chang/Insider
And as they shopped, workers continued cleaning out the store and reorganizing the disheveled shelves as if its closure wasn't imminent.
Brittany Chang/Insider
Despite the present shoppers, workers, and remaining goods, the Kmart felt coldly vacant.
Brittany Chang/Insider
A store once packed with customers and a variety of products has since been reduced to only a few available items, stained floors, and barren aisles ...
Brittany Chang/Insider
... a reminder of the retail apocalypse's long-lingering effects.
Brittany Chang/Insider
The nostalgic brand that could once be found scattered throughout the country now only has three locations left in the US: Westwood, New Jersey, Bridgehampton, Long Island, and Miami.
