The holidays are coming, and for millions of Americans that means it’s time to shop. Many in Bloomington-Normal and beyond will get in their car, drive to the store, and use their credit card to purchase gifts.
Today, that may seem like the most ordinary way to shop. But 60 years ago, the idea of driving to a sprawling suburban store, parking for free, and buying everything from groceries and clothing to tires and appliances under one roof represented a major change in how Americans shopped.
Bloomington-Normal was at the center of that transformation when Kmart opened its doors on Sept. 20, 1962.
Conveniently located at the then-rural intersection of Route 9 and Route 66, Kmart had clothing, electronics, tires, engagement rings, and even a Kmart snack bar, all which could be paid for with your Kmart charge account. One-stop shopping arrived in McLean County, but it wasn’t always like this.
For the first 125 years of McLean County history, most stores were centrally located in Downtown Bloomington, where Asahel Gridley opened the first store in 1831. Retail steadily grew alongside the community, booming in the later half of the 19th century. From the ashes of the 1900 fire, merchants rebuilt Downtown Bloomington, making it Central Illinois’ premiere shopping district.
Local department stores like Livingston’s, Klemm’s, and Roland’s populated the square and held their own against neighboring giants like Sears and JC Penney. People could easily access all of the stores downtown had to offer on foot, via train, bike, horse, bus, or by hopping on the electric street car system.
But in the second half of the 20th century, that all changed. As automobiles grew in popularity, so did the need for parking.
“By locating our Kmart in a suburban area, we are answering the demand of the public for free parking areas when they shop. Virtually every adult person in your community owns 1 or 2 cars. The only way to give customers free parking is to go into an area where necessary land is available." A-B Fairbanks, from the company that became Kmart, in a 1962 Pantagraph article.
The superstore opened shortly after, at what we know today as Empire Street and Veterans Parkway. In addition to its ample parking spaces, Kmart boasted 88,000 square feet of retail space, 40 departments including grocery, 20 checkout lanes, and "Kresge Credit” – a popular “pay later” program.
“You won’t need cash at Kmart if you apply for credit now. Just say ‘CHARGE IT’ at Kmart’s discount prices for Candy, Jewelry, Toiletries, Dry Goods, Millinery, Lingerie, Women’s Wear, Hair Goods, Footwear, Boys’, Girls’ and Infants' Wear, Men’s Wear, Hardware, Electrical Goods, Kitchenware, House Furnishings, Dinnerware, Luggage, Toys and Games, Sporting Goods, Auto Accessories, Major Appliances, and Home Improvements,” read one advertisement.
Just as Route 66 changed the Illinois landscape, so too did Kmart.
It operated for over half a century, before closing in 2015. So, next time you visit Dick’s or Home Goods, remember that you’re standing where greatness once stood, at the good ‘ole Kmart.
