Store owners don’t fear
Kmart closing
MARLBORO — When the blue light turns off, life will move on.
Several shopkeepers in the Cambridge Square shopping center at Route 9 and Union Hill Road said this week that they are not worried about the impending closure of the center’s Kmart store and its effect on their business.
As part of bankruptcy proceedings and a company reorganization, Kmart executives announced on March 8 that 284 underperforming stores would close. On the list was the Kmart at Cambridge Square.
Outside the store last week, it was business as usual for shoppers. Perhaps the only indications that Kmart is closing were a few empty shelves and signs on the doors that said the store would accept no more layaway purchases.
Many employees at Cambridge Square’s smaller stores said they have regular customers who will be back regardless of Kmart’s closing.
"We’re like a mom-and-pop store. We’re smaller and can pay more attention to our customers," said PetValu manager Denise Rodriguez, as a customer walked a frisky dog into the store. "You can’t do that at Kmart."
"The biggest thing here that brings in all of the traffic is ShopRite," said Brijesh Patel of Carlton Cards. "A lot of customers here are complaining about the empty shelves (at Kmart) and going somewhere else."
A hot topic of conversation among Cambridge Square store owners is about what company will move into the soon-to-be-available Kmart space. Some people have their favorites.
"I think a Home Depot would be better for us," said Cindy Grzywacz, manager of Cambridge Liquors and Wines. "Anything would be better than that Kmart. People who are going to Kmart aren’t going to Kmart and then coming here."
June Willson, who purchased Sterling Optical a few weeks ago, said she is worried that a possible competitor could move into the Kmart space.
"A Home Depot or a Wal-Mart would be great, but some Wal-Marts have glasses," Willson said. "Put one in too small for an optical department, I hope."