Kmart Manager Fights Back Tears As He Says Goodbye Minutes Before Store Permanently Closes
As more and more retailers shut their doors for good, employees are bidding farewell to their jobs and co-workers in a heartbreaking way.
Kmart is one of these retailers that is feeling the pressure of online sales and closing its stores at a steady clip, according to Business Insider.
While we all will miss those blue light specials, Joshua Englert will miss them just a little bit more.
Englert was a manager at a Kmart store in McMurray, Pennsylvania, for 18 years. The store was one of the locations that was on the chopping block and facing a permanent closure.
In a tearful goodbye, Englert paid tribute to the store and all the workers and customers he had ever come in contact with.
With only five minutes left until the Kmart was closed for good, Englert took to the loudspeaker to say a few words.
“Attention Kmart shoppers … your McMurray Kmart will be closing for the last time in just five minutes,” Englert began in his emotional speech to everyone left in the store.
“I wanted to take this opportunity not to sell you 40-cent plaid skirts or five-cent panties, but instead thank you for supporting a lifetime of memories,” he said.
“I am the man I am today because of the people that I have met here at Kmart.
“The retail environment — it’s pretty stressful,” he said holding back tears.
“But we’ve always worked together to get through those stressful times: the inventories, the Black Fridays, the long lines for Tickle Me Elmos and PlayStation 4s, when we only had three of them,” he continued.
“Thank you deeply to the Kmart McMurray team, you guys have made it all worthwhile. Once again, the time is 4:25, your McMurray Kmart will be closing at 4:30, thank you.”
Englert is among thousands of employees who will lose their job as Sears Holdings, Kmart’s parent company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The company plans to close another 142 stores before the year comes to a close, according to Business Insider.
There is speculation that if Sears is unable to come out its bankruptcy unscathed, it will liquidate and close its remaining 700 stores.
The possible liquidation could affect 68,000 employees who will find themselves without a job.
Englert is not alone in saying goodbye to good friends, regular customers and a job he loved.
Many are facing the loss of their jobs as retailers make an exit from brick and mortar locations across the U.S.
Englert shows that goodbyes are never easy, especially when it comes to something you love. We wish him well and hope he finds a position that suits his heart and soul.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
