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Burlington Coat Factory, Ross Dress for Less slated for old Kmart site in Newport

2,344 views · Published 19 October 2018 · 2:37 · Indexed 5 October 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2018 · News & Politics

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NEWPORT, Ky. (WKRC) - While many communities are struggling to fill the vacant space left behind by now-shuttered big box stores, Newport has found a solution. Burlington Coat Factory and Ross Dress for Less are slated to open in the old Kmart site on Monmouth Road.

Tracy Pica remembers when the Kmart was booming.

“That had been here for years, so I was surprised when it was gone,” said Pica.

The shuttering of the store in 2014 left a large vacant space and curious minds questioning if this would ever be filled.

“I wondered, I really did,” said Pica. “I wondered, so I’m glad to hear it's happening now."

Pretty soon, the “For Lease” signs will come down and the marquees for Burlington Coat Factory and Ross will go up. The Newport city manager says it's a big deal and shoppers agree.

“It’ll bring more money in, I think, because we have so much space here and so many people that need something convenient to get to, so I think it will be great,” said Brandi Solomon of Cincinnati.

The openings come as Kmart’s parent company, Sears, announced bankruptcy.

“The brick and mortar stores don't support the traffic anymore because people buy online,” said shopper Michelle Glasgow.

“Sad, isn't it?” said Pica. “That's a store that was around for years and years and years. It just goes to show times change and people start to shop at new places."

Now, shoppers are hoping those new places will keep Newport alive.

“I think there's going to be a lot of traffic going forward. I really think it's going to be booming,” said Glasgow.

While an opening date has not been set yet, the city manager says the property owners have started the permit process. Development plans by the property owner also show they want to build two new buildings on the Monmouth Street site.

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