What stores Mauldin residents hope might replace closing Kmart

The Kmart in Mauldin is closing as part of the Sears Holdings bankruptcy fallout, and residents in the city are buzzing with ideas on what they want to take its place. 

The big box store space in the sprawling shopping center near the Butler Road and Main Street intersection in Mauldin will be vacant near the end of the year, according to a Sears Holdings spokesman.

More:Mauldin Kmart to close amid Sears Holdings bankruptcy filing

The process of working with the property owner to bring a new tenant to the site has already started, said Mauldin economic development planner David Dyrhaug.

The property is adjacent to the high-priority area where Mauldin city leaders want to create a walkable downtown.

“We’ll be working with them and trying to get that filled as soon as we can," Dyrhaug said.

The Kmart property is owned by Mauldin at Butler LLC, which shares an address with Hughes Development Corp. at the One Tower in downtown Greenville, according to South Carolina secretary of state records. A phone call to Hughes Development about development plans for the Kmart site was not immediately returned Tuesday afternoon.

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Mauldin residents were vocal when asked in a community Facebook group what they'd like to see potentially replace Kmart. 

Top vote-getters were Target, Walmart/Walmart Neighborhood Market, a sit-down restaurant, some type of trees/green space and Aldi. Several clothing retailers also tallied significant support.

There have been no plans announced for the space, but you can vote below on what you'd like to see there. The winner will not determine what comes into the city, though.

You can connect with Gabe on Twitter @gabe_cavallaro or at facebook.com/cavallarogabe or email him at gcavallaro@greenvillenews.com.