I went inside one of the last 4 Kmart stores in the US days before it closed down forever and found a nearly empty relic of a past shopping era

The Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closes. There are signs announcing its closing throughout the front of the store. — Brittany Chang/Insider

The fourth to last Kmart store in Avenel, New Jersey closed on April 16.
There are now only three Kmart locations across the US in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Kmart's sales and locations have been dwindling throughout the last several years.

On April 16, Kmart closed its fourth to final location in Avenel, New Jersey, leaving just 3 Kmart stores open across the US, David Porter reported for the Associated Press.

Source: AP News

The company, once a household brand for American families, has seen a series of headwinds over the last several years.

Men's suit sets are 75% off. The clothes are hanging on a circular clothing rack. — Brittany Chang/Insider

Its former parent company Sears Holding filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2018.

"Store closing sale!" sign hanging from the ceiling. — Brittany Chang/Insider

And sales have continued to fall while ecommerce and other big box companies like Target and Walmart have dominated.

A vent chimney range hood sitting on the floor. It's on sale. — Brittany Chang/Insider

Source: Insider

As profit has dwindled, so has the number of Kmart locations.

The Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closes. There are signs announcing its closing throughout the front of the store and cars parked in the front. — Brittany Chang/Insider

Kmart was once one of the US' largest discount stores. But over the past two decades, it has dropped from over 2,000 locations ...

The shelves are almost completely empty except for some cardboard boxes. — Brittany Chang/Insider

… to just a three along the East Coast as of April 16.

Assorted goods for sale inside cardboard boxes and plastic bags. — Brittany Chang/Insider

I visited the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closed and found a nostalgic shell of what once used to be a large, bustling store.

Signs hanging on the ceiling reading "Store Closing Sale!" as people shop. — Brittany Chang/Insider

The Kmart, about an hour's drive from New York City, was as sizable as any big box department store.

Empty sale shelves. — Brittany Chang/Insider

But instead of being greeted by colorful aisles full of assorted goods …

Hardware lining a shelf at 40% off. — Brittany Chang/Insider

… the inside of this Kmart looked like it had been ransacked.

There's caution tape blocking off part of the store. — Brittany Chang/Insider

There were still reminders of the store's glory days, like the looming red "K" on the wall and the long shelf-lined aisles.

Bare walls and empty clothing racks. There's a giant red K on the wall. — Brittany Chang/Insider

The speakers still played music and intermittent audio reminders of COVID-19 protocols …

Mannequins sitting on a shelf with an orange tag reading $50 . — Brittany Chang/Insider

… while the forward-looking Mother's Day cards continued to line the greeting cards rack.

Rows of Mother's Day cards. — Brittany Chang/Insider

But in reality, the New Jersey Kmart's heyday was already in the past.

Empty shelves under bright white lights. — Brittany Chang/Insider

There were notices of the Kmart's approaching closure both outside and inside the store, enticing buyers with the promise of big discounts.

Inside of the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey three days before it closes. Every item that's left is on sale, and there are yellow signs denoting the prices. A sign hanging from the ceiling reads "Store Closing sale!" — Brittany Chang/Insider

One of the only signs of normalcy were the workers who were organizing whatever was left on the store's shelves.

"Store closing sale!" sign hanging from the ceiling with clothing racks below. — Brittany Chang/Insider

But this wasn't enough to overcome the eerie feeling of a nearly empty store.

Empty shelves with a sign denoting social distancing. — Brittany Chang/Insider

The bright overhead lights emphasized the rows of bare racks and shelves, a reminder of the big-box retailer's glory days.

An empty store with nothing on the shelves. There's caution tape in front of the empty area. — Brittany Chang/Insider

Most of the store had already been cleared out and blocked off by caution tape.

Empty shelves with caution tape blocking off the rest of the store. — Brittany Chang/Insider

And many of the sections that weren't taped off felt disorganized with piles of products scattered haphazardly around.

A row of children's party toys and balloons. The area is messily arranged. — Brittany Chang/Insider

However, there were still plenty of shoppers picking at the skinny but discounted selection, which included clothing for people of all ages …

… American pantry staples …

Shelves of sauces, canned goods, condiments for 40% off. — Brittany Chang/Insider

… childrens' toys …

A sign reading 50% off toys and children's games. There's one barbie doll left. — Brittany Chang/Insider

… and antiquated tech, like a yellowing cash machine and bulky printers.

A cash machine on sale. — Brittany Chang/Insider

Even the clothing racks once full of inventory were on sale.

Bare walls and empty clothing racks. — Brittany Chang/Insider

And as they shopped, workers continued cleaning out the store and reorganizing the disheveled shelves as if its closure wasn't imminent.

A person moving a shopping cart through a cluttered aisle. — Brittany Chang/Insider

Despite the present shoppers, workers, and remaining goods, the Kmart felt coldly vacant.

There's caution tape blocking off part of the store. Cardboard boxes sit on shelves. — Brittany Chang/Insider

A store once packed with customers and a variety of products has since been reduced to only a few available items, stained floors, and barren aisles ...

Empty shelves with items thrown across the floor. There's a shopping cart filled with more miscellaneous items. — Brittany Chang/Insider

... a reminder of the retail apocalypse's long-lingering effects.

Empty shelves with moving items and panels taking up walkway space. — Brittany Chang/Insider

The nostalgic brand that could once be found scattered throughout the country now only has three locations left in the US: Westwood, New Jersey, Bridgehampton, Long Island, and Miami.