Abandoned Kmart - Altoona, PA

[@robertalbright860]

This was Kmart store #4150. It opened Feb 22, 1967. I started my Kmart career in this store in 1975 and spent 20 years of my 34 years with Kmart in this store. Early in my career I managed the Garden Center before moving into Loss Prevention and being promoted to District Manager. At one time this store was one of the most profitable Kmart stores in the Eastern Region and was a Management training store. Frequently due to the high sales volume a Manager was placed in this store for one year before being promoted to District Manager. The building at the front of the parking lot was indeed the free standing Kmart Auto center which closed many years before the store finally closed. Have many great memories of the time I spent in this store and the people I worked with. In fact, I met my future wife while working in this store.

[@gregrorabaugh564]

Hi Walle , thanks for the great video. I grew up in Altoona and was born there in 1956 and stayed there through elementary school, junior high school, and Alttona senior high school. 2 years at Alttoona Penn State, Then the final 2 years at the main campus in State College. I only lived about 2 miles from the Logan Valley mall and K mart and an old store called Uncle Joe's woodshed . I rode my bicycle down there every weekend and at least a few days a week during the summer. I moved to San Diego in 1978 after graduating from college, been here ever since . I've only been back to Altoona a handful of times since then. Thanks for Going down memory lane. Keep up the great videos and your sincere respect for property and moral conduct. Greg

[@carolabaughman]

Hey Greg! Love, Cousin Carol

[@danielnieto2566]

You are between a kmart, a toys r us, and a sears, the abandoned holy trinity

[@pottalk8161]

The Sears isnt abandoned

[@HelloRailfan69]

Have you been to Johnstown, PA

[@sweetcat1639]

The Toys r us closed in June, the Kmart closed in January, and the Sears closed in March. Rough year for Altoona

[@pottalk8161]

Sears isnt closed yall acc stupid

[@Busch22Fan]

This Kmart was built new in 1967, alongside the mall. From what I could gather, this was a Kmart its whole life. The Gabe's next to this store used to be a Phar-Mor up until that chain went kaput. Also, the Toys R Us/Dunham's Sports split store across the street started out life as one location of the defunct Gee Bee Discount Store chain.

[@FrehleyFan3988]

I hated when I was dragged into k mart as a kid and wanting to go to toys r us instead, but now I miss being at k mart

[@sherryk.spicklerstein8337]

An amazing job on the video as always, Wallie! Thank you so much for referencing my retail group as well! I should have included some additional info along with my photos. My apology for the oversight, my friend. This Kmart closed on 1/6/19. I was there for the final day. And yes, that abandoned building was the Kmart auto center at one time. After Kmart closed, the liquidation at Sears started the very next day. I documented this store as well right up until it’s closing day on 3/3/19. The Sears Auto center closed in late January. Once again, thank you so much for filming this location, Wallie. It was truly my pleasure to watch this vid and to have a look back at this memorable location.

[@1SaltyGirl]

Thanks for the memories. Took my mother often to Altoona Kmart shopping.

[@elizabethorsillo7187]

It’s pretty cool seeing the big green mountain in the background!

[@saiger9540]

My other childhood Kmart 😭😭😭 It breaks my heart to drive past this and the toysrus sign when I'm in Altoona. I love the video! Awesome job as always!

[@shmamzy]

As they were closing they had some insane deals

[@RampagingRex]

I stopped at this Kmart only once; my friends and I would pass by this area while going to and from Penn State as we were taking classes. It was about what you'd expect inside, nothing you haven't seen in other Kmarts but I'm glad I got to see inside when I did.

[@rachelreid6914]

i am from that area and worked in the mall at jc penney had a coffee shop.... would go to k mart with my dad ... and my uncle worked at sears while going to college.. so sad all of the stores have closed.. thank u for sharing

[@Gina____]

I miss this place. They’ve added a giant “no trespassing” sign in the parking lot since you were here, lol.

[@timothywilliams2601]

I love your passion for back in the day stores etc that had structure and meaning. There's no personal touch anymore. Everything now is based on convenience and technology which has killed jobs. Yours and Nate's videos remind me of my childhood.

[@the1theonlyharrydavidson693]

Worked in auto service center for about five years until Penske took over I was young learned alot and had cpl great guys long term, Fred, Chuck.

[@tylerhoopes]

Grew up shopping at that Kmart. Sad to see Altoona going dawn hill. Good video man. Thanks for stopping by.

[@stubby200]

If you take a very short drive down the road....They have the first Target store in this side of Pa. It was a prototype store. As of a few years ago, it was never updated, and is very small compared to the Target stores now. It is straight out of the early 90's! You should check it out Wallie, would make a great video! Stay awesome, keep up the great work!

[@Gina____]

stubby200 it was updated last year. :P

[@stubby200]

@@Gina____ Thanks for the info! I will have to check it out. Live in Indiana..really hoping we get a Target.

[@geekhead220]

I swear I remember they had a snack bar in there from a while ago before it was updated

[@florencechestnut2270]

Very sad seeing another abandoned Kmart:( I'm surprised the Kmart sign hasn't been taken down.

[@rightz975]

Used to be a great place to get clothes drinks etc sucks that walmart took over everywhere

[@Nokorola]

It’s still there today too. I doubt it’ll come down until the building gets leased.

[@KevinPlaysGuitar]

Nice find! At 5:59 what a nice shot of the two signs! All of those cars parked at Sears make that Sears look busy. lol

[@billbiller3745]

They converted the old k mart in mt pleasant pa into an Auldi and a big lots. Turned out very nice

[@GLeibniz1716]

Another great vid and your commentary is spot on. Your passion for places that once meant a lot for many is admirable and infectious. Come to Butler, we have many abandoned structures.

[@genedewitt3992]

Old Kmart are become U-Haul now in Illinois in a lot of store. Just so you know that.

[@bjr2379]

Shopped there many times. Good times... I think that was a Firestone Auto Center.

[@starstruck2852]

I grew up in tyrone just 20 mins from altoona. But also lived in altoona for a few yrs but now in NY. Its sad to see all these stores closing ! I used to clean kmart when i lived there. It was a nice store. The little building in front of kmart was the sears auto center. And yes sears is also closed now.

[@slackingpacking]

Love the “Garden Shop” logo scar.

[@racersabandonedretail361]

Slacking Packing I do to! It’s like bare brick!

[@ERICC0941]

Since you have been here and seen this, they put a car wash in the front as you pull in the parking lot I also was an employee back in high school back in the evening. I was clock 88. I worked in multiple departments.

[@joeheid2776]

Always love your vids. Lookin forward to Weekends with Wallie.

[@davidgaver8659]

The Kmart Distribution Center in Chambersburg PA closed in April

[@davidgaver8659]

@@markbrown2296 yeah it does

[@thedancingqueenrandom152]

You finally filmed it I'm happy love your video #savethekmart

[@johncrider9207]

The auto shop was Kmart auto center then became a Penske. Been closed for some time now. Kmart was bought and is becoming a Rural King. Sears is also closed for good and the Sears auto center became a marijuana dispensary. The amc theatre is also closed down for good. The toys r us across the street became a Burlington.

[@user-ci9ri4fl5pBuckeyeChessie]

I remember some K marts did have external auto centres.

[@Bstrayer67]

Shoutout from me and rob we love your content! You should go back and get inside :)

[@MuneageDaydream]

A carousel with Kmart logos on it...just wow I'd love to have one of those.

[@jet34thehawk]

Man I love your videos

[@alexiramos7092]

Try making it to Allentown PA we have an abandoned K-mart on South 4th Street

[@jeffskene42]

I visited Altoona a few years ago and shoped both that Kmart and Toys R us as we stayed right by it in a Motel nice memorys even if they are gone :(

[@101448]

We need the sign for our non closing store. Looks a lot better.

[@news89]

That is some fine looking label scars. They Toys R Us sign is like omg.

[@doreensanders2434]

I miss Kmarts.

[@johnmckinstry6057]

I visited this Kmart in Mid-December. The same day, I went to the Logan Valley Mall and entered the mall through the Sears store. I thought the Sears store looked fairly nice and it took me by surprise when it was announced a few weeks later that the Sears would be closing. The mall appeared to be doing well, although it has lost several stores this year already.

[@Nokorola]

Yeah, I think the Sears was initially slated to stay open.

[@letapearson2043]

Cool video Wallie! Sad to see another store closed, and you filmed this very well! Have a great night! 💗

[@Janscreatons]

I miss K-Mart and the blue light specials! LOL

[@TheLionAndTheLamb777]

Rural King is moving in to this location.

[@dennismanbook]

Surprised they didn’t peel off all the window stickers when it closed. Like the Hello! and free WiFi. Good video!

[@mattzupon4155]

I live about 10 minutes away from there. Many cool places to explore in Altoona.

[@IntergalacticSpaceKitten]

It destroyed me that we lost ToysRUs. We're losing a lot of our brick & mortar stores quickly. Thanks, Amazon.

[@jamie-r2034]

That auto center has been closed for a long time

[@rebelinthenorth4991]

You mentioned about Sears across from Kmart. Yes it closed during the pandemic.

[@JerseyMiller]

Relics of the time before the Technological Revolution.

[@KaneHulen]

What concert are you going to? Have you ever seen a Foo Fighters concert?

[@DAVIDSRETAILADVENTURES]

Wallie can you film the abandoned Kmart in Cleveland Ohio

[@rpfcreates4476]

Hey man I’m late to the party but my company is thinking about opening a clothing store in Altoona. How was the vibe there, motivated shoppers, busy stores, or not really? Love to get your opinion on the town’s shopping sense. Thank you brother!

[@WallieB26]

People definitely shop around in the area. The mall isn't the best but in the plaza where Boscov's is, many of those businesses thrive. However the main stretch where majority of the stores are near the Kmart do well too. It can be an all around busy area!

[@OrangeFruitt]

I live in the area as well. Altoona and State College are within 45 minutes of each other. Not only would you get people from smaller, local areas coming to the area, but you also have Penn State within 45 minutes, and Penn State Altoona just nearby. I am sure that if you had a good location, you could do very well in Altoona.

[@marcymathieu4463]

My dad managed this Kmart for 25 years . Then he worked for a company who liquidated it . Seeing it empty is sad . We used to run into his office and get money to go to the mall 😂

[@marcymathieu4463]

It was a Kmart auto center then something else

[@KaneHulen]

I just saw one on my way to Denny’s in Sioux Falls South Dakota.

[@ERICC0941]

Since you have been here and seen this, they put a car wash in the front as you pull in the parking lot

[@geekhead220]

Sucks that it closed. It was always busy for Kmart standards

[@Catmannj1]

Another awesome video even made better by Sherry's purrfect photos. I hate seeing this Kmart (and Sears) closed thanked to the wicked Fast Eddie. I can't believe the company would let these stores just shut down. Altonna must have a lot of potential customers about. Where are they to go. Thanks for documenting these stores. People should not forget the great retailers KMart and Sears are (don't want to use the word WERE since they are holding one, for now.)

[@edandrzejewski2887]

That's ok i live in Erie i think we got 2 or 3 of them here !!

[@MrYuck-ys4eh]

The clouds are awesome.

[@johnsanders4946]

Beautiful area there never been above the mason Dixon. I just started to want to film the Sweetwater Tx abandoned K Mart it has label scars all over it. I'll film it when I'm up there Wednesday

[@jodysmith8048]

Sad when you think about it because WALMART is not in every town an for some towns Kmart was their towns store an with all the Kmart's that have closed some towns are left with no where to shop which is really sad because I do believe Kmart could have been saved

[@jodysmith8048]

@@davinp Yes I forgot abouut Target

[@crystalscan2002]

that kmart is literally night light mode

[@Mentorrailfanning]

When I had went there, there was a hand saw in between the two doors.

[@2bmefree123]

We have the same in philly Sears 1st, toys r us and now kmart in a 1mile radius. Toys r us will open back up I believe online

[@kevinbaker4241]

Well, anyone who was planning to get some supplies for their trip to Horseshoe Curve is outta luck - they'll have to go somewhere else to do that... (I actually got to visit the Curve back in '11.)

[@elizabethorsillo7187]

Kevin Baker I rode around the Curve on an Amtrak train two years ago going from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia and back. So I got to ride around it twice! I got a really good view on the way east, but couldn’t see anything going west.

[@Korbs64]

When my sears closed cars were in the parking lot the sigh was still up and the doors were pitch black and it was abandoned

[@racersabandonedretail361]

So, my K Mart closed early last year.Toys R Us closed early last year.Sears closed early last year.Elder Beermans closed early last year.

[@isaacbrielleboyer4327]

It was the k mart auto center

[@beckafintaylor]

Sears is shut down along with many other stores in the mall and the sears auto center which is terrible for me because it was the best place to get tires! K mart toys r us and sears were always "sometimes stores" growing up... Toys r us was for birthdays k mart was for christmas and sears was black Friday and back to school because they were more expensive unfortunately!

[@dukemexplorer481]

I was in it February it was barren , only bought white Halloween makeup in December for a beard for santa. That was last thing I bought there

[@carolabaughman]

Sad, it cant reproduce. Love, Carol

[@tylerrogge4549]

Man that sucks Great video though and those label scars are like 🤤🤤

[@timothysimpkins3664]

The shop is in good nick!

[@carolabaughman]

Please stay away from magnets! Love, Carol

[@DAVIDSRETAILADVENTURES]

This reminds me of canton Kmart kind of I don’t know why

[@Altoonawiseman]

Just Incredible how much altoonas in decline. So Glad I got out when I did.

[@robm4469]

Every town and city in America has these some have several actually.

[@misterhat5823]

Is the Hills still in Altoona? Or has it been demolished/converted?

[@robertdefrancesco949]

Mister Hat converted to upmc for lab work. Upmc set up a version of med express.

[@misterhat5823]

@@robertdefrancesco949 Thanks. I wondered what happened to it. The "Train Station" Mall was turned into medical offices, wasn't it?

[@robertdefrancesco949]

Mister Hat yep.

[@SocietyKongMedia]

The Kmart in Reading/Shillington PA is still open but i have no idea how

[@patriciagrant269]

I use to work at the shillington kmart as a supervisor when they started closing the kmarts district said that the shillington store would be one of the last ones to close since it is the teaching store for new managers

[@Tailwhip222]

pretty sure this one is a Rural King now..hopefully i googled the correct location 🤣

[@troydefrancescotheplotagon3245]

Yea

[@timstar28]

Lol I actually moved here right when they were shutting down and I got to grab a few cheap shirts 😂 they probably literally just closed down when you took this.

[@michaelblair5767]

Sad to see Kmart close

[@MrOrlandobob2]

Sear Auto center,it was

[@Nokorola]

No, that was next door in front of the Sears. Kmart had a Kmart Auto Center.

[@cathischoll7989]

Nice video! Is all shopping going to be on line someday?

[@BedroomScenesMovie]

Hope not. I barely buy *anything* online. I still go to malls for a lot. :)

[@carolabaughman]

Spirit store in there now. You should go back, but beware magnets!

[@David-cz2du]

Childhood Kmart

[@konaDuvall]

Altoona is known for leaving abandon buildings up and also as of 2023 we dont have the good air that we used to

[@chriscornelius2518]

They better figure out something to do with all of these empty buildings on the blvd, you can only have so many medical centers, psyche places, and meth clinics in this town.

[@Nokorola]

I keep hoping either the Sears or Kmart building becomes a Rural King as the one at the Nittany Mall did.

[@chriscornelius2518]

@@Nokorola I was just at the Nittany Mall. I didn't see much progress. That was 2 months ago. One interesting thing is the Francis Scott key Mall in Frederick Maryland which is of course a larger metropolitan area, they have been at capacity for all of their stores so it is possible to have a successful shopping mall.

[@lukemcelheny2579]

I’m tryna figure out what’s so amazing about it😭 I live 10 mins away from altoona lmao just everyday stuff for us haha

[@MemorableScatterbrain]

I live in Altoona and can remember when it was open 💀

[@Mxg_19]

Danm I haven't seen the kmart in a while

[@alexaungstclassic6574]

I liv 14 minutes away in East Freedom

[@thedancingqueenrandom152]

The Sears in Altoona is now closed for Good

[@garrettwinrick6322]

Omg. I pass this daily

[@joshshaw6505]

There’s a rumor going on that that store is going to be a ruralking

[@johnmckinstry6057]

A Rural King would be nice, being that the only one in the area is in Clearfield. Ironically, the Rural King in Clearfield is in a former Kmart store.

[@Nokorola]

I hope this happens. The former Sears in State College is now a Rural King and was packed the two times I’ve been there. It definitely would be a good fit and I think popular.

[@durkigotmoney6610]

I stopped in there before I do not like Altoona Pennsylvania

[@mikekenner5442]

There is an actual crick (creek) that runs under the other side of the Logan Valley Mall

[@RobbieP2Vlogs]

#SavetheKmarts #SavetheSears #SavetheToysRUs

[@dylthrill9396]

That cop car was actually a fake cop car with a dummy inside... I live here and went up to it cause I thought it was fake

[@duanesnyder2945]

I miss pool hall