Athens Big K-Mart to Close by September's End

After 25 years in business, the Big K-Mart store on Barnett Shoals Road in Athens is closing. By the end of September, all the merchandise will be liquidated, the employees will have applied for other jobs and perhaps moved on.

"We're not renewing the lease," said Kim Freely, spokesperson for Sears Holding Company. It owns Big K Mart stores, Sears stores and Land's End, among other properties. "How the store performed is one factor. It's one of several K-Marts that we are closing."

She said the employees of the Athens store have been notified of job vacancies at other nearby Sears and K-Mart stores. They may apply for these positions.