Monday, September 29, 2014

Like Many Stores Before It, Kmart Sez Goodbye to Warren Mall

The entrance to Big K in 2008

Goodbye, Kmart.  Anchor store leaving mall on Dec. 7.  (Warren Times Observer, 9/25/2014)

Kmart press release
Store closures are part of a series of actions we're taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerated the transformation of our business model.  These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail -- at the store, online and in the home.
Translation:  We're a dying brand.

No surprise here.

Some other Warren Mall photos from 2008.

An uninviting main entrance.


The center court with mustard-colored tiles.


Looking north toward Big Lots. 
(Big Lots leaving
.  Warren Times Observer, 10/25/2013)

Losing Big Lots as an anchor store = reaching rock bottom.


Looking north toward Big K.  
In case you're wondering, yes, the mall was open when I took these photos.


Warren, Pennsylvania.  No longer "home of 15,000 friendly people".


Body Camera Turned Off During Ferguson Shooting

But certainly not the only wrinkle. 




(1)  Today’s Police Put On a Gun and a Camera.  (The New York Times, 9/27/2014)
(2)  Ferguson officer shot; police say no protest link.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 9/28/2014) 



Related posts:
A cacophony of tweets.  (8/29/2014)
I have to wonder, though, how many more incidents will it take?   (8/22/2014)
Parents throughout St. Louis County (and elsewhere, it appears) insulted their children in the spring 2014 elections.  (8/18/2014)
Isn't that redundant?  (8/15/2014)
In the news.  (8/12/2014)

Retiring Assembly Representative Steve Kestell Sees School Choice Expansion as a "Potential Mistake on the Horizon"

Outgoing Rep. Kestell reflects on legislative career.  (Sheboygan Press, 9/28/2014)


First elected in 1998, Rep. Steve Kestell has served 6 terms in the Wisconsin State Assembly.  He chaired the Assembly Education Committee during the most recent legislative session.

Related posts:
Governor Walker's folly.  (7/28/2014)
Not just a rumor anymore: Rep. Steve Kestell announces his retirement.  (4/2/2014)
Taking a wild guess at the source of this rumor.  (2/28/2014)
Rep. Steve Kestell is Rrecipient of Wisconsin State Reading Association's "Outstanding Legislator Award".  (2/15/2013)