Boardman Kmart to close; 81 workers can apply for other posts

BOARDMAN

Nearly 48 years after it opened in June 1968, the Boardman Kmart store will close in mid-April, part of an effort to reduce its parent company’s expenses.

The store, located at 1209 Boardman-Poland Road (U.S. Route 224), has 81 employees who will be eligible to receive severance pay and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears and Kmart stores.

The store will begin its liquidation sale Jan. 24.

“Store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce ongoing expenses, adjust our asset base and accelerate the transformation of our business model,” said Howard Riefs, director of corporate communications for Sears Holdings Corp. “These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail – at the store, online and in the home.”

Customers with layaway contracts at the store have a couple of options: pay off the contract early or transfer their layaway contract to a neighboring store or online.

Read more about the changes in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.