By Kejsi Zyka, Opinions Editor
Walking into Kmart all those years ago was like walking into heaven on Earth. The decorations around Christmastime, the “huge” food court, all the Halloween costumes and the affordable section of Wii games. It’s still a nostalgic childhood memory for some. And it will soon just be a memory because guess what folks — Kmart is closing down.
Kmart’s closing is great news to most of the locals. With the store gone, it will increase the chance of a Target or a Chick-fil-a opening up. But to the few, it’s a grieving time, as Kmart is still one of their favorite stores.
For junior Ivanna Gonazalez Sanchez, walking in to Kmart when she was younger, meant it was a special day.
“My family never had a lot of money, so when I was growing up, going to Kmart was like going to a supreme store. It was the best brand of clothes I could get,” Sanchez said. “I knew that if I was going to Kmart, it was like Christmas or my birthday and I was always so excited to get something in style.”
Sanchez looks back on the wonderful memories she had from the store.
“I remember they used to have a restaurant in Kmart called Natalies and they had the best cheese fries,” Sanchez said. “I loved Kmart, and it’s really sad that it’s closing down.”
Sanchez and her family are devastated. They live close to Kmart and still shop there today.
Along with Sanchez, junior Benicio Garcia Agresto, thinks Kmart closing down is heartbreaking to the town.
“I just feel like Kmart is something that brings the Outer Banks together,” Agresto said. “It’s sad because it’s been there for a while, but I do hope it’s going to be a Target.”
For junior Sean Stultz, who just started working there a few weeks ago, Kmart closing down is a great thing, even if it means losing his job.
“I’m fine with it closing down because I never really liked it, but I like working there,” Stultz said. “It’s easy work and I get paid $12 an hour.”
Though many people may think that Kmart is unpopular in the Outer Banks, you’d be surprised at how many people still shop there.
There are a lot of tourists still visiting, and with Kmart being one of the most affordable stores, it can still get pretty crowded.
“It’s surprising but it’s actually pretty busy because tourists are always in,” Stultz said.
Although there’s been speculation of Kmart being replaced with a Target, Chick-fil-a, beach rentals, or even a Panera Bread, we are still unsure of what it’s going to be. In the meantime, we can either celebrate, or cry, as the heart of the town is about to be gone.
Senior Kejsi Zyka can be reached at zykake0914@daretolearn.org.
