Popular discount department store chain Kmart has extended its Maitland lease until 2030 as a vote of confidence in the CBD.
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The store has stood in the Maitland Hunter Mall home for 30 years and Kmart will revamp the shop floor in preparation for its fourth decade.
“Kmart recently committed to extended its lease in Hunter Mall for 15 years and is looking forward to continuing to offer the community its everyday low priced items,” Kmart property general manager Ben Smith confirmed.
“The store will undergo a major refurbishment as part of Kmart’s commitment to upgrade all stores within the next five years.”
Vicinity shopping centre group last week announced it would spend $8 million to complete its renovations of the Maitland Hunter Mall and would aim to finish it in line with The Levee.
Mr Smith said the Kmart refurbishment was a strategic decision.
“The new look Maitland store will also complement Hunter Mall’s upgrade with the store receiving a completely new layout with bold and bright graphics and easier navigation within the store, so it’s easier to find products,” he said.
“The refurbishment will commence early September 2015 and be completed by early November 2015.
“We’re pleased to invest in the store and the community, which we have been part of since the store opened in 1985.”
The store will remain open during the refurbishment and we will have team members to assist with locating products as the store design changes.
Confidence boost
The mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, has welcomed Kmart’s commitment to the CBD at a time of great change.
Maitland City Council is part way through its High Street refurbishment – The Levee lifestyle precinct – next door to Kmart and the Hunter Mall.
“That confidence boost is really what we need and I think it compliments the works we’ve been doing in The Levee,” Cr Blackmore said.
“It’s a confidence boost – they have great confidence obviously in the CBD.”
Cr Blackmore said Kmart was an important employer in the city and had given many young people a career start.
“A lot of young people get their first opportunity through employers like Kmart and they in turn will go shopping in their lunch break and buy lunch nearby which all helps the economy,” he said.
“Kmart has apart from being a major employer provided a great service to Maitland.”
