Florida Kmart To Be Torn Down for Massive Home Improvement Store

Photo byPYMNTS.com

At its peak, Florida had over 170 Kmart stores. Now, only one remains, and another long-abandoned location in Mandarin is about to be transformed. The former Kmart on San Jose Boulevard is officially set to be demolished, making room for none other than Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer.

The empty 133,123-square-foot Kmart, located at 9600 San Jose Boulevard, has been sitting vacant since it closed its doors in 2016. After years of waiting, the space is finally getting a new purpose. In early 2024, rumors swirled that Home Depot had plans for the site, and a company spokesperson confirmed that a store was slated to open in the fall of 2025. While details were sparse at the time, it’s now official—construction is moving forward.

On September 6, 2024, Ordner Construction was awarded a $400,000 permit to demolish the old Kmart. This is the first big step toward building the new 132,000-square-foot Home Depot store. The project had already cleared a major hurdle in May when the city council approved a rezoning request, paving the way for the development.

For those unfamiliar, Home Depot isn’t just any home improvement retailer. With over 2,300 stores across North America, including around 145 locations in Florida, it’s a massive player in the industry. Home Depot generates a significant portion of its revenue from professional contractors, which gives it a financial edge over its closest competitor, Lowe’s. The company offers specialized programs that cater to professionals, helping them purchase materials in bulk and making Home Depot a go-to for large-scale projects.

As we wait for the fall of 2025 to see the new Home Depot come to life, it’s worth reflecting on the end of an era for Kmart in Florida. While the sight of a big blue Kmart sign may fade into history, Mandarin residents can look forward to a fresh start with a brand-new Home Depot set to serve both DIY enthusiasts and local professionals.

So, what do you think? Will the new Home Depot bring more convenience to the neighborhood, or do you miss the days of Kmart’s blue light specials? Either way, big changes are coming to San Jose Boulevard!