St. Croix’s last Kmart will reportedly shutter in August after owner Transform KM opted not to renew the company’s lease in the Sunny Isle Shopping Center.
News of the impending closure circulated widely on social media over the weekend, along with a photograph of a letter employees reportedly received Friday pursuant to the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification of 1988 and the Virgin Islands Plant Closing Act.
Approximately 96 employees are slated to lose their jobs, according to the notice. With no remaining stores on St. Croix, “there are no openings for transfer.” The notice added that opportunities are available to work at the company’s St. Thomas locations.
A representative from the V.I. Labor Department could not be reached by the Source Monday. A Government House spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding plans to attract a replacement big-box store or similar retailer.
The closure announcement comes nearly two years after retail consulting and asset acquisition firm SB360 Capital Partners announced that the island’s larger Kmart, located in the former Sunshine Mall, would be closing its own doors.
In response to that closure, Labor Commissioner Gary Molloy said in a statement that the department launched an investigation to ensure that the rights of all affected employees were fully protected.
“We are deeply concerned about the potential impact of the Kmart West closure on the affected individuals and their families,” he said at the time. “Our priority is to ensure their rights are upheld and they receive the support they need during this challenging time.”
