Iconic Retailer Closing Last CT Store

WATERTOWN, CT — The last remaining Kmart in the state will close down by the end of the year, according to various reports. Company officials said they made the "difficult, but necessary decision" to shut down the Watertown stores.

Liquidation sales are anticipated to begin at the end of the month, with the store closing down in mid-December. Customers are encouraged to continue shopping with the retailer via their online store at kmart.com.

Kmart has closed stores around the state including the Milford location last year and Southbury two years ago.

This marks yet another retailershuttering locations across the state. This summer, jewelry and accessories chain Charming Charlie filed for bankruptcy and close all 261 locations across the nation, including four Connecticut stores.

That announcement came only month after Dressbarn said it was closing all 19 locations in Connecticut and all 650 across the United States. The first two Dressbarns to close are Southbury and Mansfield.

The Hits Keep Coming To National Retailers In CT

Party City announced plans to close its Meriden location this year due to a global helium shortage has hurt sales for the company.

Sears recently closed its Meriden location earlier this year. Other Sears locations that have closed within the past year include Milford, Waterbury and Waterford. Last August K-Mart announced it would close its Milford location.

Lowe's announced plans to close its Orange location in 2019 and Mattress Firm announced last year that it would close locations in Branford, Bristol, Newington, Orange, Tolland, and Wethersfield.

Brookstone closed its locations in Danbury, Waterford and at the Mohegan Sun casino. Two Sam's Club locations in Connecticut, Orange and Manchester, also closed in 2018.

Charlotte Russe announced earlier in 2019 that it would close all of its stores including five locations in Connecticut. Also earlier this year, Family Dollar, which has 20 stores in Connecticut, said it will close as many as 390 stores and add adult beverages and other changes to some remaining locations. No specific locations have been released by Family Dollar.

And 2017, also wasn't kind to retailers either. Bob's Stores, Eastern Mountain Sports, Payless Shoes, Rue 21, JC Penney in Milford and more all closed.

Additional Job Losses In CT Announced By Businesses Here

Thus far in 2019, a total of 11 companies have announced plans to layoff approximately 900 employees across the state.

Hubbell Lighting Inc. of Newtown plans 143 job losses through early February. Lincoln National Corp. of Rocky Hill is planning 83 layoffs through Sept. 1.

Burndy, LLC in Bethel plans 54 layoffs by the end of the year. Durham School Service in Shelton plans 107 layoffs due to a loss of contract. Those layoffs are effective July 1.

Datco in Bethel has planned 52 layoffs, an AT&T Call Center in Meriden has announced plans for 46 layoffs, Aramark Management Services Limited Partnership in Hartford is laying off 93 people due to a loss of contract, New England Motor Freight, Inc. in Meiden laid off 122 people, Spectrum

Pharmaceuticals in Middlebury, Guilford, Colchester laid off three people and Petland Discounts Inc. in Southbury; Derby laid off seven people.