New Kensington Kmart closes after nearly 55 years

Lisa Wilson made an impassioned farewell speech to customers at New Kensington’s Kmart store as it ended operations Sunday after more than a half-century.

“The time now is 6 p.m., and the night has come that’s bittersweet,” Wilson said over the store’s loudspeaker in a video that was posted to Facebook by her daughter Tina and has since been viewed more than 50,000 times.

“The New Kensington Kmart will no longer be the place to meet,” added Wilson, an evening supervisor who worked at the store for nearly eight years. “Many loyal customers have shared good memories about our store, and we will always hold them dear even after they lock our door.”

The New Kensington store was one of many scheduled to close by the end of 2018. Sears Holdings, which operates both Sears and Kmart stores, in October filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection amid financial strain from massive debt and staggering losses. Sears Holdings said it would close 142 unprofitable stores near the end of last year, in addition to the previously announced closure of 46 more unprofitable stores.

The New Kensington store opened on Feb. 27, 1964.

“We can be proud that our Kmart made it just shy of 55 years. As we leave this final time I’m sure (there will) be laughter, hugs and a few tears,” Wilson said in the video. “Here’s to one last time of, ‘Security, clear the floor!’ Our New Kensington Kmart store is no more.”

It was a difficult store announcement to make for Wilson, who over the years routinely addressed customers over the loudspeaker and relished the role. She told the Tribune-Review that when customers complimented her about her announcements, she jokingly told them she was trying out for KDKA.

“I am the one that was always on the loudspeaker and pretty often I wrote the announcements for the store when they had something that they had to announce,” she said.

Wilson said she will miss the store’s customers and co-workers.

“It was a great big family,” she told the Trib.

Madasyn Czebiniak is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Madasyn at 724-226-4702, mczebiniak@tribweb.com, or via Twitter @maddyczebstrib.