And another store bites the dust. Transformco, parent company to Kmart, announced plans to close 96 Sears and Kmart stores including the Kmart at 5151 Sunrise Highway in Bohemia by February 2020. The statement was made on Nov. 7. 

“Since purchasing substantially all the assets of Sears Holdings Corporation in February 2019, Transformco has faced a difficult retail environment and other challenges,” the company wrote in a press release. “We have been working hard to position Transformco for success by focusing on our competitive strengths and pruning operations that have struggled due to increased competition and other factors. To support these initiatives, our owners (along with a third-party investor) have recently provided the company approximately $250 million in new capital.” As a result, the company made the “difficult but necessary” decision to close the businesses. Going out of business sales at the stores are expected to begin on Dec. 2.

Once Kmart closes in Bohemia, the only remaining Kmart on Long Island will be in Bridgehampton at 2044 Montauk Highway. The Farmingville Kmart closed this fall. The Sears location at Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove is not among the locations announced for closure.