MEDINA, Ohio — Thursday marked the end of an era in Medina as demolition began on the first Super Kmart in the United States at 1105 North Court Street.
The demolition also ushers in the start of a new chapter at the space, with Meijer set to construct a new superstore in the future.
According to the city of Medina, the Super Kmart first opened in July of 1991 as a nearly 160,000 square foot "shopper's mecca." By 2002, however, Kmart was in financial trouble as the company filed for bankruptcy, closed nearly 600 stores and let go of 57,000 employees across the nation.
Despite Kmart's emergence from bankruptcy and purchase of the Sears department store chain, the Medina Super Kmart announced that it was closing its doors right after Christmas in 2011. The store was locked up a few months later.
For over a decade, the building has sat vacant as it was condemned by the city of Medina, while its owners were fined for "various building code violations." Now, Meijer has stepped in.
"The project will breathe new life into the area and we welcome Meijer to the Medina community, said Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell in a statement. “The City of Medina is pleased and thankful to see the demolition of the old Kmart begin today. This has been an eyesore in our community for over a decade and we look forward to the new building and parking lot that the Meijer’s store is investing in our community. The city Administration and Council have been working diligently to find and support a new anchor tenant and Meijer’s will fill this void very well.”
The superstore at 1105 North Court Street will be Meijer’s second in Medina County, joining the location in Brunswick. There is no word yet on when the new store will open.
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