78 Kmart Workers To Lose Jobs With Bohemia Store Closing

BOHEMIA, NY — A total of 78 employees will lose their jobs with the Bohemia Kmart closing, according to the New York Department of Labor. Earlier this month, Kmart's parent company, Transformco, announced the department store on 5151 Sunrise Highway is among 96 Sears and Kmart stores that will be shut down next year.

The layoffs will happen February 16, 2020, or during a 14-day period beginning on that date, according to the labor department.

"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 statement. "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."

The decision to shutter the 96 stores was "difficult but necessary," the company added. Liquidation sales at the affected stores are set to start December 2.

The Bohemia store is the only Long Island store being shut down. In New York, a Kmart in Sidney and a Sears in Buffalo are also closing their doors.

After the closing of the Bohemia store, only one Kmart will remain on Long Island, at 2044 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton. A Farmingville Kmart closed this fall.