These Kentucky Kmarts are closing by early 2018

The Kmarts in Henderson, Glasgow, Versailles and Frankfort will be closing in late January 2018, according to a Thursday press release by Sears Holdings, the parent company of the retail chain.

“Sears Holdings continues its strategic assessment of the productivity of our Kmart and Sears store base and will continue to right size our store footprint in number and size,” the press release read. “In the process, as previously announced we will continue to close some unprofitable stores as we transform our business model so that our physical store footprint and our digital capabilities match the needs and preferences of our members.”

In total, 45 Kmart stores and 18 Sears stores are closing across the United States. Liquidation sales will begin as early as Nov. 9.

The announced closures are the latest in a long list for the dying retail chain. The last Lexington Kmart closed in October. In April, the Georgetown Kmart closed. In total, hundreds of Kmarts have closed since the beginning of the decade, including several in Kentucky.

A spokesperson for Sears Holdings said the number of affected employees was not available and eligible employees will receive severance and could apply for jobs at other Kmarts.

The Kmarts in Erlanger and Somerset, which are two of the last few Kmarts in Kentucky, will remain open. Others in operation include Grayson, Paducah, and Russell Springs.

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 7:23 PM with the headline "These Kentucky Kmarts are closing by early 2018."