Years after 'glimmer of hope' was lost, Kmart Blenheim is 'actually happening'

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Blenheim Kmart enthusiast Linda van Kuyk will take a tour of the new Kmart before doors open on Thursday.

'It's finally real, it's actually happening.'

Blenheim woman Linda van Kuyk was influential in bringing retail giant Kmart to Blenheim, and with the sign finally above the door, she couldn't wait to get inside.

Kmart will join other retailers, such as Pak 'n Save and Bunnings Warehouse, at the Westwood Development, on the outskirts of Blenheim.

Van Kuyk set up the 'Bring KMART to Blenheim' Facebook page, and was being rewarded with a sneak peek of the homewares, clothing and close-to-everything-else retailer on Tuesday night.

Over the years, rumours of a Blenheim Kmart had stirred residents into a frenzy. When rumours were seemingly quashed in April 2017, a commenter said they had lost their 'glimmer of hope'.

Richmond has been the closest Kmart for Marlburians since it opened in 2013.

Kmart under construction in August 2018.

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Construction began on the Kmart store in early 2018.

But when the news was confirmed in August 2017, a post on the Facebook page summed up the reaction: 'WE DID IT!!!!!! KMART IS COMING TO BLENHEIM!!!!!!!!!!!'

Other commenters echoed her enthusiasm saying 'about time' and 'RIP bank account'.

Kmart opens at the Westwood Development, on the outskirts of Blenheim, at 8am on Thursday. It will be open seven days a week, 8am to midnight.

Van Kuyk said she was 'stoked' to get an early walk-through of the shop and was 'really happy' the store was opening.

'The sign is finally up on the store, it's finally real, it's actually happening. It's going to be really cool to get in there and have a good look.'

Van Kuyk said she would be at the store on Thursday on time for the 8am opening, before work, and had other friends who were locked in for shopping trips throughout the day.

'But I don't know of anyone who's going to be pulling a sickie.'

First on van Kuyk's shopping list were some 'Easter goodies', she said.

Other retailers at Westwood Park include Pak 'n Save, Bunnings Warehouse, Farmlands and PGG Wrightson/Fruitfed Supplies.

Last month, CPR owner Deborah Romano said they were set to open Catalyst Eatery next door to Kmart.

The cafe would be open seven days a week, and they planned to open from about 6.30am to catch Westwood workers, she said.

Cabinet food would be on offer plus a sit-down breakfast and lunch menu, she said. They planned to open on April 12, Romano said.

A Kmart spokesperson said Kmart Blenheim was their first new store to open in 2019, with another four expected later in the year.

The company had received more than 500 applications for the 70-odd fulltime, part-time and casual roles. The recruitment process was close to completion.