Banning Kmart Store to Close Down After 23 Years in Business

After more than 23 years at its location on Highland Springs Avenue, Banning's Kmart is closing down.

Representatives with Sears Holdings, which own the Kmart franchise, tell Patch that the location will close to the public in "early June."  A total of 91 employees will be affected.

"This store is being closed because the lease was not renewed," Sears Holdings Corporate Communications Director Howard Riefs told Banning-Beaumont Patch in an email.

According to Riefs, the closure is part of the company's efforts to reduce expenses as more customers shift to online shopping.

"Store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model," he said.  "These actions will better enable us to focus our investments on serving our customers and members through integrated retail – at the store, online and in the home."

The location will begin a liquidation sale on March 16, he said.

Some of the store employees that are eligible will receive a severance payment, and others will have the opportunity to apply to open positions at other area Sears or Kmart stores, according to the representative.

The Banning Kmart first opened in November of 1990.