Kmart spokesman Steven Mann told the Herald Sun that the store will close its doors for good on November 22, 2020, when their current lease ends.
While he didn’t explain why they’d decided to close the store, he did confirm that permanent staff members at the Northcote Kmart will be guaranteed positions elsewhere.
Locals believe that the ‘ageing’ shopping centre is in need of redevelopment, which could’ve prompted Kmart’s decision to close the store.
Regardless, the news has prompted a wave of disappointment from hundreds of fans on social media.
Said one: ‘Noooooo! 😭 I love my Kmart fix!’ Added another: ‘Aww, I am sad that it is going.
Said a third: ‘I can’t deal. I’m shock.’ Said one more: ‘Nooooooo.’
Another advised a friend to leave the area over the news, writing: ‘Sell your house and move somewhere close to a Kmart.’
Other locals expressed their disappointment at what this would mean for Northcote Plaza - and the many local businesses and residents.
Said one: ‘Let’s face it the entire plaza really needs to go if Kmart leaves 🤦♀️’
Added another: ‘Northcote is losing a lot of businesses. The ANZ bank recently closed after more than 50 years in Northcote and now Kmart, arguably the most useful store in the Plaza. A real blow for elderly pensioners.’
The news comes just weeks after Big W confirmed that they will close 30 stores due to falling profits.
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