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Store #3421 in Benton Township (1950 Pipestone Road) and store #3181 in Niles (2707 South 11th Street) are among the stores on this list. Other West Michigan stores on this list: Mid-Michigan stores: Northwestern and Upper Peninsula Michigan stores: Greater Detroit area: When I came to Stevensville in October 1977, K-Mart was about the only store in the mega-shopping district along Pipestone Road. There may also have been a McDonald's, a hotel or two, and maybe a Denny's, but that was about it. In 1979 the Orchards Mall was built and in 1980 Meijer opened. I think one of the first things I was bought at Meijer Benton Harbor was a can of Playdough and some Oreo cookies. It's kind of amazing to remember that there was a time when Meijer was not open 24/7. I had my 10th birthday party at a ShowBiz Pizza that used to be the last occupant on the south end of the tiny strip mall attached to K-Mart. I remember when the big game was Dragon's Lair which was revolutionary with its use of Laser Disc. They put a second monitor on top, so the crowds of people could see the player screen, even from the back of the crowd. This game unit was right out front, with a red carpet leading to it. There used to be a second K-Mart in Benton Harbor in the city limits, close to the Saint Joseph river. I think the road is Riverview Drive. That K-Mart probably closed around 1982 or something. My only association with that K-Mart is a can of yellow cheese balls my dad bought. The Benton Township K-Mart has been my definition of a K-Mart, poorly kept with a large number of minorities driving around the parking lot in their ghetto crusiers. One of my mom's favorite complains was those black cashiers at K-Mart. I asked why she picked on the black cashiers, since the white ones were just as poor service providers. K-Mart is a major underdog in its battle with Wal-Mart and Target. I have never been a K-Mart shopper with my money (I have purchased a few things from K-Mart over the past 20 years, but very little), but I do like to follow the story of an underdog, and it doesn't hurt that K-Mart is a Troy, Michigan based business. The only other thing I associate Troy with is Jack Van Impe Ministries International, who has this silly little religious television show that airs during off-peak hours. His wife is Rexella and the announcer is Chuck O. something. Chuck has a silly announcer voice and I imagine him saying, Rexella, I was standing here in my booth, plotting Jack's assassination, so I can have you all to myself!.
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