🌴Dude, Where's My Blue Light Special? The Epic Quest for an Open Kmart in California
Hold onto your shopping carts, people! We're about to dive deep—like, Mariana Trench deep—into one of the most pressing, totally important questions of our time: Can you still score that sweet, sweet retro Kmart vibe in the Golden State, or is it all just a nostalgic ghost town? Spoiler alert: Prepare for a wild, emotional rollercoaster that’s less "retail therapy" and more "retail history lesson."
Back in the day, Kmart was the bomb. It was the OG big-box store, the place your mom dragged you to for school clothes that weren't quite designer, but hey, they were affordable! You knew the drill: enter, smell that unique department store aroma (a blend of cheap plastic, popcorn, and a faint whiff of desperation for a better sale), and wait for that iconic "Blue Light Special" announcement that felt like winning the lottery. Ah, the good old days.
Step 1: Checking the Vibe - What’s the Current Deal with Kmart, Anyway?
First things first, let's get the harsh truth out there. The Kmart brand, bless its heart, has been on a serious digital detox—meaning, a massive store closure spree. It’s been a tough run, a real bummer of a situation, fueled by shifting consumer habits, online shopping domination, and some complicated corporate stuff that involves more drama than a reality TV show.
 |
| Are There Any Kmart Stores Open In California |
1.1 The Great Retail Fade-Out
Think of Kmart like that amazing, super popular band from the 80s that just couldn't keep up with the new synth-pop kids. The competition from giants like Target and Walmart really threw a wrench in the works. The parent company, Sears Holdings (and later Transformco), has been systematically closing down locations across the country in an effort to stay afloat, often leaving behind big, empty boxes that now look super eerie when you drive past them. It’s a retail ghost story, and we’re all reading the final chapter.
1.2 The National Headcount: Small, but Mighty (Kind Of)
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
So, how many Kmarts are left in the whole USA? The numbers are thinner than a sheet of bargain-brand toilet paper. We’re talking about a teeny-tiny handful of locations across the entire country and its territories. As of recent checks, the count has been dipping down to single digits—like 5 to 9 stores total, mostly hanging out in places like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and a stray Florida spot. It’s a super exclusive club now, and honestly, the membership benefits seem questionable.
Step 2: The California Dream - Did the Golden State Keep the Lights On?
Alright, let's zoom in on the land of sunshine, movie stars, and ridiculously high rent: California. Did this massive state, which once had Kmart stores seemingly on every corner, manage to hold onto even one?
2.1 A Tragic Tale of Final Closures
Prepare yourself, because this is where the story gets a little teary. The final curtain fell on the Kmart era in California pretty recently. For a while, places like Grass Valley, South Lake Tahoe, Watsonville, and Ramona were the last bastions of blue light glory. Shoppers would drive for hours, clinging to the hope of one last trip down the blue-tiled aisles. But, alas, one by one, they all went dark.
The last Kmart in California, located in Grass Valley, closed its doors for good around the end of 2021.
That's right, folks. The dream is officially over. California is now Kmart-free. It’s a real heartbreaker. If you drive by a former Kmart today, you’ll probably see it being renovated into a gym, a smaller retail center, or maybe just sitting there, a monument to a bygone era. It’s a whole mood.
Tip: Use this post as a starting point for exploration.
2.2 Don't Trust the Old Signs, Dude!
You might be cruising down the street and spot an old, faded red and blue sign that screams Kmart. Don't get psyched! That sign is just a ghost. The corporate websites and third-party store locators are notoriously slow to update, and they might still list a few California spots that have been closed for ages. It's like calling up a number you haven't used in ten years—you’re just gonna get a disconnected signal.
The only way to shop Kmart now is to hit up their online store, where you can still find products under their brand umbrella, though the shopping experience is, naturally, totally different from wandering through those cavernous, brightly lit stores.
Step 3: Finding Your Retro Fix (A New Game Plan)
Since you can't actually walk into a Kmart in California, you’ve got to pivot. You need a new strategy for that nostalgia fix!
 |
3.1 The Digital Dive
If you just need that Kmart product fix—maybe it’s a specific Kenmore appliance or a random pair of Joe Boxer pajamas—your best bet is the Sears/Kmart website. They still sell stuff, but it's not the same as the hands-on, fluorescent-lit experience. It’s a necessary evil.
Tip: Read the whole thing before forming an opinion.
3.2 The Scavenger Hunt for Artifacts
This is for the true Kmart fanatics. You need to start hunting for the physical remnants! Check out:
Estate Sales and Thrift Stores: Look for vintage Jaclyn Smith clothing lines or old Martha Stewart housewares (from the era when she partnered with them!).
The Former Store Buildings: Drive by an old location. Just seeing the massive, often windowless exterior can give you a weirdly satisfying sense of history. Snap a selfie, post it, and tag it #KmartGhostTown.
Online Auction Sites: People sell everything from old Kmart uniforms to unused Blue Light Special signs. Warning: This is a rabbit hole, and you might spend your entire paycheck.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How many Kmart stores are left in the entire US?
As of recent reports, the number of open Kmart stores across the mainland US and its territories is extremely low, often fluctuating around five to nine locations total.
How to find the nearest currently open Kmart store?
Your best bet is to use the official Kmart or Sears website store locator, but be super cautious and call the store ahead of time. Many online lists are outdated and show permanently closed locations.
Tip: Reading carefully reduces re-reading.
Where was the last Kmart store in California located before it closed?
The very last Kmart store to close its doors in California was located in Grass Valley, California, which shuttered its operations around the end of 2021.
How did Kmart get its start?
Kmart evolved from the S.S. Kresge Company, which was a five-and-dime store founded in the late 1800s. The first Kmart branded store was opened in 1962, ironically, in San Fernando, California.
Can I still buy Kmart brands online?
Yes, you can! Kmart’s parent company still maintains an online presence where you can purchase items, including products from their proprietary brands like Kenmore and Joe Boxer, which are sold through the Sears/Kmart websites.
Would you like me to find out which states still have a few remaining Kmart stores open?
 |
