I wonder if they are getting ready to leave the state.
http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2017/03/14/kmart-to-close-its-only-maui-store-this-summer.html
I wonder when whole states/ regions will start to be abandoned. Currently the only state/US territory with no Kmart stores is Alaska (they pulled out during the last bankruptcy)
I visited the Kapolei, HI, store two weeks ago. It was ~ 4:00 pm on a Tuesday. Inside and out, the store is a mammoth with a full garden center (strangely not open or stocked) and two street food vendors at the entrance. Inside, the aisles are huge, shelves well stocked, and a section of fresh fruits and vegetables exists despite the store not including a full grocery. Where most Kmart stores have lawnmower and trimmer displays inside, this store has displays of all its children ride-on toys and houses. The ceiling of this store is incredibly high. Most stores just have one row of shelves along the interior perimeter to display bulk/excess freight; this store has two, with neither accessible without a really tall ladder.
While this store is very well maintained, I counted only two employees on the sales floor, two cashiers, and a greeter despite walking the entire interior. Number of Customers: one (not including a homeless lady who resides in a crevasse in front of the building and to the right of the entryway). That one customer also walked out without anything in his hands.
This store is owned by SHC. Based on my visit, it looks great but likely does not generate sales. Perhaps that is why so few employees could be found - limiting expenses?
My guess is that the three stores left in NC that are east of I-95 will likely be affected during this round of closures! The three that will be left in NC that are east of I-95 are in Morehead City, Kill Devil Hills, and Jacksonville (the Goldsboro location will be closing at the end of the month, and the Rocky Mount location closed at the end of July 2016.)!!
One in PA now too. Looks like they are going to do the next round piecemeal. Bet there will be a bunch of news articles about single stores by the end of the day.