I'm from Hickory and later moved close to the Conover area in 2000. I've very fond memories of this Kmart. This was the main one I would go to mainly after the one in Hickory closed down. Both locations had the Little Caesar's Pizza in store. But the plaza at the Conover location was a very busy and cozy spot. The Lowe's Food was replaced with what is now a dentist office. No.1 Kitchen is still thriving as far as I know and we had a video rental store that I remember renting all of my PS1 goodies. Very good times, glad you enjoyed!
Hi Wallie, Happy Birthday! This was store #3632 and opened on 10/8/1987. It was an original build Kmart of the 3-4 variety with a fancy front facade. Keep doing the Kmarts, love it!
I loved this Kmart. I would also go Black Friday shopping with my mother. They would be busy, but not as bad as the bigger stores. I miss the old Super Kmart too.
I live very close to the old Big -K in Conover NC. My family Shopped their often. We hated to see it go. Now I have to go to Walmart. I hate going their because it's always busy. I really miss K Mart & the Blue Light Specials.
Hello, I grew up in Conover , no longer live there. Great place to grow up! That building space for the Kmart has never been anything else. The next I-40 interchange to the east at NC-16 has a newer Walmart, ( still goin strong) which pretty much explains the closure of any neighboring Kmart anywhere at that time even before the failed Sears merger. Competition in the retail business is fierce . Conover is not a particularly depressed economically. Actually there are some nice residential areas in and around that town. The economic engine that drove the area use to be furniture manufacturing and textiles (neither of which paid very well for blue collar folk) like most of the area but there has been much change there and thankfully very good . Thanks for the video, Blessings
Thought you was Bob Ross for a minute “ Happy little trees, Just peaceful “ lol just kidding. Another great video miss Kmart and Ames,Hills all was part of my childhood but never been to a Toy R Us. Stay awesome.
Here in Wilkes the building that the "Super Walmart" now occupies was originally built as a Super Kmart. Walmart was built across the street and although it was not a super center it still aided in the demise of the "Super Kmart, " in this market area. Lowe's Foods now occupies what was previously our Walmart store. Long before we (in Wilkes) had a Kmart or Walmart we had Sky City in the West Park shopping center which is now owned by Wake Forest Medical Center. Our first Kmart was in the vicinity of where Two Rivers Cinema is now located. It was demolished and replaced with the theater. We used to shop at the Kmart in Conover. We would stop in there on our way to Valley Hills Mall in Hickory because you could usually find some good buys there-especially when they had their, Blue Light Specials." 😊
Dude, you are the, "Bob Ross" of abandoned buildings, 7:18... I mean this in a good way! I noticed your t-shirt in a couple previous videos, thanks for the support!
They're turning this Kmart into a Rural King, which is basically like a Tractor Supply. This was one of the 2 Kmarts of my childhood. The other one was a Super Kmart that my mom worked at; it was a couple exits up the interstate from here. It's now a Ross, the Super Kmart, but it was originally renovated as a Circut City.
The registers and service desk were on the left side. That was a brand new Kmart when it was opened. Back in the 80's. As far as I can remember nothing was in that building before Kmart.
I actually used to work at this Kmart! It w was my first job when I was 16. The registers were on the left as you walk into the building. I worked in almost every department before leaving there. I have amazing memories of it ♡
This is one of the K-Marts that I grew up going to..the other one was a Super K-Mart that my mom worked at when I was a kid. I enjoy your videos, Wallie! I've been binge watching your videos ever since I found your channel. It's so awesome to see you show a store local to me! I'm glad you enjoy North Carolina!
thanks for sharing wallie it was cool seeing this one something different of the front entrance hope you have a great day buddy can`t wait for next one
Your RUclips Channel rocks, Wallie and Kayla! As you were filming the Garden Center and Prison Yard, I was thinking that Fast Eddie needs to be locked up inside the Prison Yard, chained up in the water and electrify the fence. Have a KMartlicious Day! Have a North Carolinalicious Day!
The Kmart in Milford Connecticut closed down years ago they were selling all store displays they were even selling a huge safe from the back. Sears Hardware was going out around the same time, I'm bought some of their heavy duty shelving they were using in the aisles.
The registers were to the left as you looked in. Customer service was right in front. K Cafe was along the left side of the wall right inside the door where the lines were on the floor. Pharmacy in left front corner. Clothing to the right. Electronics straight back. I spent many hours there. Luckily Rural King has bought it and is moving in… eventually. The roof damage from the tornado was worse than they thought.
Wow great to see you visiting that kmart. I live not far from there past Hickory. after i went out to eat in hickory i purposely drove to conover to look in the front just like you did 2 weeks ago. although i didn't walk around..i shopped there many times. i remember when it opened because my parents told me they were visiting the newest kmart in the world. That's the way they advertised it during the grand opening. 1987 i'm pretty sure. Around 2006 or so a Conover Super Walmart opened one exit down about 2 miles with an upscale downtown street looking facade. I'm sure that didn't help much. And the Hickory Super Walmart was only 2 exits the other direction on I-40. But only Conover Kmart was visible from the interstate. As far as the registers i remember them being to the left looking from the front of the store. and oddly i remember looking at disney and lots of other kids clothes for my 8 yr old daughter directly to the right of the entrance in a rectangular section that included the front wall. It WAS a well kept kmart. I wish i could of seen you there I would of shook your hand--lol. i hope i get to speak with you someday. I'd like to tell you a story from a walmart manager that was around during the opening and closing of a Super walmart in Wilkesboro N.C. I've been trying to figure out if this was one of the earliest Super Kmarts built because it looked very much like the first one in Medina. It didn't have the glassed in dining area on the front on the grocery area. And the grocery side was on the right side walking in. It closed in 2003-only 10 yrs. old :( Keep up the great videos-i really enjoy them. DALE
Hi, Dale Triplett: I believe we both attended the same elementary school if you live in Wilkes-I remember a Dale Triplett in my classes as a child. I have lived in Wilkes most of my life and I don't recall a "Super Walmart" ever closing here. The building that the "Super Walmart" now occupies was originally built as a Super Kmart. Walmart was built across the street and although it was not a super center it still aided in the demise of the "Super Kmart, " in this market area. Lowe's Foods now occupies what was previously our Walmart store. Taylorsville opened their Super Walmart before we got one. Long before we (in Wilkes) had a Kmart or Walmart we had Sky City in the West Park shopping center which is now owned by Wake Forest Medical Center. Our first Kmart was in the vicinity of where Two Rivers Theater is now. It was demolished and replaced with the theater. As a matter of fact, Lenior had a McDonalds before we did. Our first McDonalds occupied the building that is now home to Carolina West Wireless in the intersection across and to the left of Chili Verde. Hardees was this area's biggest fast-food chain here, and they were everywhere. Now we only have one operating Hardee's, and it is directly in front of the Super Walmart. Lowe's Foods was originally located on the left of Sky City, in the strip mall in West Park. Lowe's Foods was the main supermarket chain with one being in the building that is now occupied by Chili Verde and Dean's Bistro. When you exited highway 16 the road went into the 421 Business intersection directly facing Lowe's Foods (now Deans Bistro & Chili Verde). You could go up 421 toward Boone but it was just a 2-lane road with very few-if any-businesses in that area, but you had to go to the light in front of Lowe's Foods and make a left to go up the mountain.
Hey Wallie, If you ever run around in Virginia, check out the abandoned KMart in Highland Springs. It was my old Kmart, & still hasn't been moved into. Another reason to visit that one.... There is a bojangles across the street.
I live in New York, but we have family and property down in Greensboro. I think there may have been one or 2 there as well, in my state we had one in the Metro Mall in Queens that closed down years ago, I’m in Long Island now and they were never really around here, but it’s CRAZY to see them closed up
It is a neat building and it's a shame it's still empty considering it's in a great spot right off of I-40. Less than 10 minutes from our old mill we are converting.
This old K-Mart location is currently being upfitted to become a Rural King store later this year. The upper part of the storefront has been repaired and painted Red to prepare for new signage. I have not looked inside the windows yet to see what progress has been made, but they are currently hiring, so I believe the store will be open later this summer.
I live in Gastonia NC we have several great abandoned places you would love to check out if you get a chance to come here our Kmart was turned into academy sports just 6 months ago
Dude, if you love this state, then you'll love the mountains. Next time you're down here in NC, head to Mt. Mitchell. Highest Peak east of the Mississippi River. Standing at 6,684ft. It's beautiful up there and a sight to see. It's free to get into. It's not abandoned like Ghost Town in the Sky, Maggie Valley. But it's always (Sometimes) cooler there than it is down in Conover and other areas in the piedmont and foothills. You said the name right the first time. Con-over. :)
If they left the lights on or someone turns the lights on, I'll look more like a K-mart lol because I'll have that feel of that it would be like at the time the store was a K-mart. Thanks for sharing Wallie. 👍 I'm old enough to remember thornsberry it was also like Toys R Us it had the toys, games, electronic, bikes ect. And I remember Children Palace same thing toys games electronic and bikes. Thanks for sharing. I'm 45 now.
The reason the vents look different in this one, is because it was a later model store, built in 1987. It was a Kmart it's entire life. just a very unique looking one.
Are you seeing any of these abandon K Marts being repurposed? There's an abandon K Mart about a quarter mile from where I live. It's been closed for 4 years and now Amazon is renovating it to be a distribution center
They need to improve on disposal. It leads to dumping mattresses, couches and other things behind businesses. I wonder if that couch was any good before it was dumped but I bet not since it rained, its moldy now.
He's now going to be selling the Hoffman Estates headquarters. I don't even know why they bother running the handful of stores they have left. There is absolutely no point anymore.
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I'm from Hickory and later moved close to the Conover area in 2000. I've very fond memories of this Kmart. This was the main one I would go to mainly after the one in Hickory closed down. Both locations had the Little Caesar's Pizza in store. But the plaza at the Conover location was a very busy and cozy spot. The Lowe's Food was replaced with what is now a dentist office. No.1 Kitchen is still thriving as far as I know and we had a video rental store that I remember renting all of my PS1 goodies. Very good times, glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for saying all the wonderful things about North Carolina. We would love to have you live here !
I haven't visited your channel in awhile, but I just now remembered all the great vibes it delivered. I'm back!
Hi Wallie, Happy Birthday! This was store #3632 and opened on 10/8/1987. It was an original build Kmart of the 3-4 variety with a fancy front facade. Keep doing the Kmarts, love it!
I loved this Kmart. I would also go Black Friday shopping with my mother. They would be busy, but not as bad as the bigger stores. I miss the old Super Kmart too.
I live very close to the old Big -K in Conover NC. My family Shopped their often. We hated to see it go. Now I have to go to Walmart. I hate going their because it's always busy. I really miss K Mart & the Blue Light Specials.
I miss Kmart so much! My Kmart closed in the summer of 2016, and was shortly after, torn down for a new Kroger to be built.
That was cool having pictures of this K-mart at the end. Thanks to whoever sent those pictures
For that being closed so long it's not what I expected it to be I thought it would be all trashed inside glad to see it in such good shape
Hello,
I grew up in Conover , no longer live there. Great place to grow up! That building space for the Kmart has never been anything else. The next I-40 interchange to the east at NC-16 has a newer Walmart, ( still goin strong) which pretty much explains the closure of any neighboring Kmart anywhere at that time even before the failed Sears merger. Competition in the retail business is fierce . Conover is not a particularly depressed economically. Actually there are some nice residential areas in and around that town. The economic engine that drove the area use to be furniture manufacturing and textiles (neither of which paid very well for blue collar folk) like most of the area but there has been much change there and thankfully very good . Thanks for the video, Blessings
Dude mad respect how you get out and see the world.. Safe travels and thanks for all the killer footage.
Stay safe and stay awesome
Thanks for finally coming to town. Welcome to Catawba county.
Thought you was Bob Ross for a minute “ Happy little trees, Just peaceful “ lol just kidding. Another great video miss Kmart and Ames,Hills all was part of my childhood but never been to a Toy R Us. Stay awesome.
May Kmart live on in our memories. As well as Hills, Ames and Toys R Us.
Here in Wilkes the building that the "Super Walmart" now occupies was originally built as a Super Kmart. Walmart was built across the street and although it was not a super center it still aided in the demise of the "Super Kmart, " in this market area. Lowe's Foods now occupies what was previously our Walmart store. Long before we (in Wilkes) had a Kmart or Walmart we had Sky City in the West Park shopping center which is now owned by Wake Forest Medical Center. Our first Kmart was in the vicinity of where Two Rivers Cinema is now located. It was demolished and replaced with the theater.
We used to shop at the Kmart in Conover. We would stop in there on our way to Valley Hills Mall in Hickory because you could usually find some good buys there-especially when they had their, Blue Light Specials." 😊
Dude, you are the, "Bob Ross" of abandoned buildings, 7:18... I mean this in a good way!
I noticed your t-shirt in a couple previous videos, thanks for the support!
Good video! Wallie! Don't think I have ever seen a Kmart like this store is! It sure is a big one!
They're turning this Kmart into a Rural King, which is basically like a Tractor Supply. This was one of the 2 Kmarts of my childhood. The other one was a Super Kmart that my mom worked at; it was a couple exits up the interstate from here. It's now a Ross, the Super Kmart, but it was originally renovated as a Circut City.
Registers were on the first side, left of the door. The customer service desk was directly to the left of the door, L shape on floor.
I'm really starting to miss Kmart.
Used to be a cool Kmart, I have memories as a child of this place. Glad to see it’s not trashed or whatever
As soon as I saw the notification I had to see this since I live in Hickory!
The registers and service desk were on the left side. That was a brand new Kmart when it was opened. Back in the 80's. As far as I can remember nothing was in that building before Kmart.
I actually used to work at this Kmart! It w was my first job when I was 16. The registers were on the left as you walk into the building. I worked in almost every department before leaving there. I have amazing memories of it ♡
Another great video! NC would love to have you guys!! I moved here from western NY 20 years ago.
Happy father's day weekend to you guys me and my grandma love shopping at kmarts I missed it so so so so so much
Someone forgot to pick up that yellow wet floor cone at the front of the store lol.
This is one of the K-Marts that I grew up going to..the other one was a Super K-Mart that my mom worked at when I was a kid. I enjoy your videos, Wallie! I've been binge watching your videos ever since I found your channel. It's so awesome to see you show a store local to me! I'm glad you enjoy North Carolina!
thanks for sharing wallie it was cool seeing this one something different of the front entrance hope you have a great day buddy can`t wait for next one
Your RUclips Channel rocks, Wallie and Kayla! As you were filming the Garden Center and Prison Yard, I was thinking that Fast Eddie needs to be locked up inside the Prison Yard, chained up in the water and electrify the fence. Have a KMartlicious Day! Have a North Carolinalicious Day!
Hope you enjoyed Catawba County. I used to go to that Kmart. It is awesome you paid our area a visit.
Love the Kmart videos WallieB26 keep it up 😀 2014 wow that is like 6 years now that's it's been closed
7 years actually, I pass by this Kmart sometimes when I go on camping trips. The most recent time I was at this Kmart was when it was still open.
@@STSRTF yeah I meant 7 years not 6 I was thinking 2015 instead of 2014 😂
Awesome job!
K-mart still rockin down here in New Zealand Wallie 🛒👍
Our old Kmart store in Greenville,NC already taken over by Pubix Supermarket. Company based in Lakeland,FL
Great job man!
The Kmart in Milford Connecticut closed down years ago they were selling all store displays they were even selling a huge safe from the back. Sears Hardware was going out around the same time, I'm bought some of their heavy duty shelving they were using in the aisles.
It always amazes me that so many lights are still left on. Closed since 2014 so who is paying the light bill? Eddie???
Hi wallie and Kayla, 👍 to see another Kmart video, happy 🎂 wallie, I really miss Kmart big time, have a Kmart vilisous day, from Delores Jordan
The registers were to the left as you looked in.
Customer service was right in front.
K Cafe was along the left side of the wall right inside the door where the lines were on the floor.
Pharmacy in left front corner. Clothing to the right. Electronics straight back.
I spent many hours there.
Luckily Rural King has bought it and is moving in… eventually.
The roof damage from the tornado was worse than they thought.
Wow great to see you visiting that kmart. I live not far from there past Hickory. after i went out to eat in hickory i purposely drove to conover to look in the front just like you did 2 weeks ago. although i didn't walk around..i shopped there many times. i remember when it opened because my parents told me they were visiting the newest kmart in the world. That's the way they advertised it during the grand opening. 1987 i'm pretty sure. Around 2006 or so a Conover Super Walmart opened one exit down about 2 miles with an upscale downtown street looking facade. I'm sure that didn't help much. And the Hickory Super Walmart was only 2 exits the other direction on I-40. But only Conover Kmart was visible from the interstate. As far as the registers i remember them being to the left looking from the front of the store. and oddly i remember looking at disney and lots of other kids clothes for my 8 yr old daughter directly to the right of the entrance in a rectangular section that included the front wall. It WAS a well kept kmart. I wish i could of seen you there I would of shook your hand--lol. i hope i get to speak with you someday. I'd like to tell you a story from a walmart manager that was around during the opening and closing of a Super walmart in Wilkesboro N.C. I've been trying to figure out if this was one of the earliest Super Kmarts built because it looked very much like the first one in Medina. It didn't have the glassed in dining area on the front on the grocery area. And the grocery side was on the right side walking in. It closed in 2003-only 10 yrs. old :( Keep up the great videos-i really enjoy them. DALE
Hi, Dale Triplett: I believe we both attended the same elementary school if you live in Wilkes-I remember a Dale Triplett in my classes as a child. I have lived in Wilkes most of my life and I don't recall a "Super Walmart" ever closing here. The building that the "Super Walmart" now occupies was originally built as a Super Kmart. Walmart was built across the street and although it was not a super center it still aided in the demise of the "Super Kmart, " in this market area. Lowe's Foods now occupies what was previously our Walmart store. Taylorsville opened their Super Walmart before we got one.
Long before we (in Wilkes) had a Kmart or Walmart we had Sky City in the West Park shopping center which is now owned by Wake Forest Medical Center. Our first Kmart was in the vicinity of where Two Rivers Theater is now. It was demolished and replaced with the theater. As a matter of fact, Lenior had a McDonalds before we did. Our first McDonalds occupied the building that is now home to Carolina West Wireless in the intersection across and to the left of Chili Verde. Hardees was this area's biggest fast-food chain here, and they were everywhere. Now we only have one operating Hardee's, and it is directly in front of the Super Walmart. Lowe's Foods was originally located on the left of Sky City, in the strip mall in West Park. Lowe's Foods was the main supermarket chain with one being in the building that is now occupied by Chili Verde and Dean's Bistro. When you exited highway 16 the road went into the 421 Business intersection directly facing Lowe's Foods (now Deans Bistro & Chili Verde). You could go up 421 toward Boone but it was just a 2-lane road with very few-if any-businesses in that area, but you had to go to the light in front of Lowe's Foods and make a left to go up the mountain.
Hey Wallie, If you ever run around in Virginia, check out the abandoned KMart in Highland Springs. It was my old Kmart, & still hasn't been moved into. Another reason to visit that one.... There is a bojangles across the street.
I live in New York, but we have family and property down in Greensboro. I think there may have been one or 2 there as well, in my state we had one in the Metro Mall in Queens that closed down years ago, I’m in Long Island now and they were never really around here, but it’s CRAZY to see them closed up
I love seeing abandoned Kmarts they are just interesting to me
ty for showing this so sad
Cool 😀 I miss the K Marts in NC , one of my favorate stores
It is sad to see Kmart closing
That has always been a Kmart my mom work there years ago ... the left side was were the cash registers was there
I’ve seen those square vents inside another former Kmart in Washington Court House, Ohio. Kinda interesting.
Sears Kmart Ames all those give me nostalgia. The good old days when you could walk into a mall and walk off.
It is a neat building and it's a shame it's still empty considering it's in a great spot right off of I-40. Less than 10 minutes from our old mill we are converting.
If I remember right the registers were to the left looking from the front.
This old K-Mart location is currently being upfitted to become a Rural King store later this year. The upper part of the storefront has been repaired and painted Red to prepare for new signage. I have not looked inside the windows yet to see what progress has been made, but they are currently hiring, so I believe the store will be open later this summer.
I live in Gastonia NC we have several great abandoned places you would love to check out if you get a chance to come here our Kmart was turned into academy sports just 6 months ago
Nice always love a good wallie Kmart video
Dude, if you love this state, then you'll love the mountains. Next time you're down here in NC, head to Mt. Mitchell. Highest Peak east of the Mississippi River. Standing at 6,684ft. It's beautiful up there and a sight to see. It's free to get into. It's not abandoned like Ghost Town in the Sky, Maggie Valley. But it's always (Sometimes) cooler there than it is down in Conover and other areas in the piedmont and foothills. You said the name right the first time. Con-over. :)
I learned to back trucks into the docks at that store
Awesome video
Have a Kmartlicious day. 🛒
Just found out a couple months ago that rural king is going in this old k mart building.
Awesome video bro 👍
Those vents in this Kmart are flush mount concentric diffusers
We'd certainly love to have y'all in NC if you decide to relocate.
If they left the lights on or someone turns the lights on, I'll look more like a K-mart lol because I'll have that feel of that it would be like at the time the store was a K-mart. Thanks for sharing Wallie. 👍 I'm old enough to remember thornsberry it was also like Toys R Us it had the toys, games, electronic, bikes ect. And I remember Children Palace same thing toys games electronic and bikes. Thanks for sharing. I'm 45 now.
i always see those satellite dishes @7:24 at kmarts, does anyone know what their used for? i’m thinking kiosks?
Fellow end-of-March birthday guy (March 28th for me)!
Building looks like an old Hills or Gold Circle same brick design. Also could've been a Zayres too from 1985- ish era
it wasn't
the only kmart i know that was a former Zayres was barberton ohio that closed down.
Great vid I like it keep up the great work
The reason the vents look different in this one, is because it was a later model store, built in 1987. It was a Kmart it's entire life. just a very unique looking one.
This Kmart has the same square shaped vents as the Kmart in Clemmons, NC.
I was out riding my bike thus past weekend..found an abandoned Kmart that closed in 1995.
Check it out in Allegheny NY, just outside Olean
Great video!
Strange thing is that Kmarts are abundant and doing well in places like Australia and New Zealand.
Jack in the Box is still using the old pre-2009 logo on the sign at this location.
Hey Wallie. Are there any Kmarts still operating that you could visit? I think it's down to less than 25 but I have no clue where they are.
My hometown lemme know when back in the area know a few places
Ever heard of Don Barker
the one in our city closed in 2003 I wasn’t even alive. The 2nd closest was modern for a Kmart. That one closed in 2014.
this one is nice we should of had a kmart look like this in pa most kmart's in pa was a former store like grant's etc.
Are you seeing any of these abandon K Marts being repurposed? There's an abandon K Mart about a quarter mile from where I live. It's been closed for 4 years and now Amazon is renovating it to be a distribution center
Mine was turned into a hobby lobby and there a little bit of space for sale of the old kmart
Seen all the tire marks on the curbs have you ever drove over the curb
It's always sunny in Pittsburgh
Looks alot like the old kmart that was once in Bainbridge Ohio
No mistakes just happy little trees
Love you 💓💓😘😘💟😚 guys like family
They need to improve on disposal. It leads to dumping mattresses, couches and other things behind businesses. I wonder if that couch was any good before it was dumped but I bet not since it rained, its moldy now.
I was wondering, if you know is the K-mart in Branson closed? been awhile since we been in Branson.
It closed a couple of years ago.
Eddie Lampert is nothing but the devil, so to speak. He doesn't do anything to try to turn things for Sears and Kmart around.
He's now going to be selling the Hoffman Estates headquarters. I don't even know why they bother running the handful of stores they have left. There is absolutely no point anymore.
I just watched a Kmart video!
I live here all my life and it been Kmart
Oh wow
Epic!!
What's stopping you from moving to North Carolina?
Funny that this popped up, had to look it up but I ironically go past that occasionally for work reasons.
I literally live right down the road from here!!
Me too
I worked there in the 90's.
First never clicked so fast what’s up wallie 😂😂
You definitely need to be quick on that my friend lol 😆
@@alexkomada8600 yup
Fixing to be remolded and opening back up as a raul king
That guy in the truck could be a security guard.
My Kmart was closed in my town of Conway sc
Home of racers Ned Jarrett and son Dale Jarrett.
i meant to say the opening and closing of a super kmart in wilkesboro nc