Teays Valley Kmart store among nationwide closures

TEAYS VALLEY, W. Va. (WCHS/WVAH) — The Kmart store in Teays Valley will soon be closing down.

Sears Holdings, the parent company of Sears and Kmart stores announced it will soon close another 5 percent of its stores nationwide.

This closure comes after Kmart's parent company already closed 100 stores this year, including several in West Virginia. Shoppers in Teays Valley tell me it's been their "go-to" store for years.

With Elder-Beerman and Magic Mart recently leaving the Teays Valley area, shopper said the loss of Kmart will be a huge inconvenience.

"Since Magic Mart has closed too, it's real inconvenient because there are some things you need to just go from your home and pick up and get back home in a hurry,” Patricia Hedrick said.

Shoppers said the options for everyday items are getting slimmer and slimmer.

"Only options that I see is going to be the Dollar General and Walmart,” Julie Stutler said.

This third big closure to hit the Teays Valley area was puzzling to Putnam County Commissioner, Steve Andes.

"It's a time when the economy is really rolling along and retail's been doing well, so it is kind of surprising that they are closing down,” Andes said.

The store is one of 13 Kmarts getting ready to shut down.

"With the influence of online shopping, amazon, etc. It's got to affect them somewhat,” Andes said.

"I think the taxes are too high in West Virginia. We've been losing a lot of businesses over it,” Tony Stutler said.

While they're disappointed to lose another store, it's the loss of jobs Andes said will impact people most.

"Hopefully they will get to stay in the area and find other jobs and maybe even better jobs,” Andes said.

"It's sad. It's sad for them and for us. I hope something will come back in and brighten back up,” Hedrick said.

Andes said unfortunately there is open store space in Putnam County right now, but he's hoping that will bring in new businesses.

Kmart’s liquidation sale will begin as early as August 30th, and the store is expected to be completely closed by November.