Elmhurst Kmart to close this fall

ELMHURST – Sears Holdings announced Aug. 24 the closure of the Elmhurst Kmart at 265 S. Illinois Route 83, along with 27 other retail locations, a city of Elmhurst news release stated.

Though a specific date for the closure was not known at the time of the release, it is anticipated the Elmhurst store will close by mid-November, according to the release.

"Eligible associates impacted by these store closures will receive severance and will have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Kmart or Sears stores," a company statement on the Sears Holdings' website stated.

City staff will work in conjunction with the management company and Sears Holdings to plan for the closing of Kmart's Elmhurst location and identify a replacement tenant or tentants for the about 110,000-square-foot site, the release stated.

Liquidation sales will begin as early as Aug. 31 at the closing stores, according to the company statement.

The announcement brings the tally to more than 350 closures of Sears and Kmart locations as the retailer seeks stability, transforming its business model to better match the needs and preferences of consumers, the release stated.