By WILLIAM STEVENS
Staff writer
The April 8 closing of the Kmart store on Allegheny Boulevard in Sugarcreek Borough will certainly “be felt.”
That’s the word from borough manager Joe Sporer, who added that the economic impact of the closure within the borough has yet to be calculated.
Sporer said he doesn’t know the details of the lease, and that leaves a big question mark over what, if anything, will fill the Kmart space.
Patrick Conway, a broker for the real-estate company Marcus and Millichap that oversees Sugarcreek Towne Center, said the property is listed for sale, but he didn’t indicate whether anyone is interested in purchasing the property.
The property and the adjacent lot, both known as Sugarcreek Towne Center, are listed for sale at $3,750,000 and are anchored by other businesses including Giant Eagle, Fine Wine and Good Spirits, the Venango County Visiting Nurses Association and AAA.
The biggest issue residents of the borough will face, according to Sporer, is accessibility because of the variety of products that Kmart sells.
Sporer said residents won’t be able to buy everything they need in one nearby location. Still, he added, the local economy will continue to be stimulated as people frequent Dollar General, Big Lots and True Value Home Store.
Sears Holdings announced last week that nine other Pennsylvania Kmart stores are on the latest closing list. They are in Hermitage, Bridgeville, Sayre, Enola, Harrisburg, Hazleton Township, Pittston, Philadelphia and Honesdale.
Employees at the stores were notified last Thursday about the closings. Sears Holdings has indicated employees who lose their jobs will receive severance pay.
It is unclear how many employees are now working at the Sugarcreek Kmart as calls to the public relations office of Sears Holding haven’t been returned.
