Kmart To Close Last Two Maine Stores Before Christmas

The two remaining Kmart stores in Maine will close their doors for good, just before Christmas.

Kmart stores in Augusta and Auburn will begin liquidation sales later this month, with plans for the blue lights to go out for good in mid-December. The Sun Journal reports the Auburn store has been open since 1972. There's no word, at this point, how many employees will be affected by the closures, or whether they will receive any sort of severance package. The Maine Department of Labor's Rapid Renewal representatives have reached out to employees of both stores, offering help as they transition to new jobs.

30 states will see store closures this year, with nearly 100 stores set to shut their doors. Sears Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection nearly a year ago, due to its massive debt. Company officials say Kmart's online shopping site will remain open.