It can be hard to hear for some, but getting older is just part of life. For many men, hitting a certain age signifies the beginning of a new chapter - where bucket list items are crossed off, and goals are accomplished. For others, however, aging is a scary prospect, filled with nagging injuries, embarrassing weight gain, and inability to perform intimately. Few things feel worse than realizing that you simply can't perform as you used to, whether on the basketball court or in the bedroom.
The reality is, as men get older and approach middle age, their testosterone levels drop. When a male's testosterone levels get lower, it can cause a slew of unwanted symptoms like:
If you have noticed any of the above symptoms and feel like you're just dragging yourself through life, don't lose hope. Many men around the country are experiencing the same feelings as you. Thankfully, you don't have to settle for the side effects of low testosterone. There are proven, easy steps that you can take to reverse the negative signs of aging. If you're ready to reclaim your youth and feel like you did in your 20s and 30s, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be the perfect solution.
TRT bridges the gap between your old life and the happier, more vibrant version of you. That's where Juventee comes in - to facilitate your transition to a more youthful, fulfilling life and a brighter future. After all, aren't YOU supposed to be in charge of your wellness and health? With the Juventee team by your side, you'll have the tools to do so - backed by a personalized plan crafted by experts with more than 20 years of experience.
At Juventee, we propose a preventive and proactive medical approach to preserve optimal body function, with the best hormonal functioning to prolong vitality and youthfulness. Our specialty is Age Management, which is based on the belief that balance is the key to wellness. We employ the most innovative science, offering treatments like TRT in Westwood, NJ, and other clinical products with proven efficacy.
Living a younger, healthier, and longer life is a frequent commitment for Juventee's team of specialists. We are experts at designing customized programs that work synergistically with your body and brain. We love incorporating smart nutrition, hormonal balance, exercise, stress management, cognitive health, and lifestyle changes into our treatment programs. We also implement sciences such as testosterone replacement therapy to achieve verifiable, legitimate results.
Our doctors take differing approaches to care but share the single goal of prolonging your youth and vitality. With that goal in mind, Juventee was born from the hands of its partners, who want you to feel full strength, energy, joy, confidence, and wellbeing.
testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
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What pops up in your head when you think about testosterone? Many people associate testosterone with being overly aggressive, macho, and violent. However, the truth is that testosterone is a critical hormone for men and affects the male lifespan from puberty through old age. As a sex hormone, male testosterone is produced through the testicles. It becomes most prevalent during puberty.
Testosterone production is controlled by the pituitary gland at the base of a man's brain. This gland sends signals to the testes, which in turn produce testosterone. A feedback loop helps regulate the amount of testosterone in the blood. When levels are too high, the brain orders the pituitary gland to restrict production.
Cholesterol synthesizes the testosterone in your body. However, having high cholesterol doesn't mean you have high testosterone levels, too. T levels are too carefully controlled by your pituitary gland for cholesterol to raise testosterone levels.
During puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
Testosterone replacement is exactly what its name implies. It's a therapy for men that replaces diminished testosterone levels, which helps balance your hormones and ultimately improves your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates many of the side effects that men suffer from as a result of low testosterone.
Testosterone was originally synthesized in a lab in 1935. Its popularity has grown since, and today, it is among the most promising doctor-prescribed treatments for men in the United States.
So, how does testosterone replacement therapy work? TRT essentially gives you the testosterone needed to be healthy and have a properly functioning body. As the primary androgen for males, testosterone has a role in the natural processes your body needs for overall health. This extra hormonal intake positively affects patients and their general health, preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiac diseases, and more.
Though there is an abundance of testosterone in your system throughout puberty and into your 20s, it gradually depletes with age. Sometimes, serious injuries and long-term conditions like diabetes affect testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
Though some symptoms of low T are abundantly evident, not all men can immediately tell they may need TRT. If you're unsure, ask yourself these questions:
If you answered yes to any of those questions, it could be time to contact Juventee about a personalized TRT plan. Still unsure if you're experiencing symptoms of low T? We have compiled a more extensive list of signs below:
Low energy used to be considered a normal part of aging. Today, most doctors know better. Modern advances in medicine show that lack of energy and low T often go hand-in-hand.
If it's a huge struggle to keep up with your kids on the soccer field, or you just don't have the energy to be active, you may have low testosterone. Getting tired is normal, but if it's an ongoing problem affecting you and your family, it's time to consult a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish normal activities, TRT in Westwood, NJ could be the solution.
You would think that lowered libido would be easy to pick up on, but when it happens gradually, it can be more difficult to diagnose. With that said, many men use TRT because they've lost that "spark" in the bedroom. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not pleasing their partner because intimacy is an important part of a relationship.
The good news? Having a low libido doesn't have to be permanent. TRT treatments can help revert hormone levels to their normal range, making for a more enjoyable sex life.
If you're like millions of other men, hair loss is an unfortunate reality you don't want to think about. Closely related to hormone imbalances and testosterone decline, hair loss is about as distressing as it gets. This common symptom is often related to DHT - a derivative of testosterone that can cause hair follicles to die.
Thankfully, a carefully monitored TRT regimen can help restore hair, especially when combined with methods like plasma-rich therapy. While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone in your body, so hair loss isn't your only reality.
Weak erections - it's an uncomfortable subject for men to talk about. It's even worse to experience the symptom in the heat of the moment. Despite being very common, men shame themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while there are many reasons for this malady, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, you don't have to live with weak erections forever when you balance your hormones with a personalized TRT treatment plan from Juventee.
You're feeling down about everything and can't figure out why you feel crummy about life. You're successful at work but feel unaccomplished. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed - and it could be stemming from low testosterone.
Studies show that men with depression and high cortisol levels also commonly have low testosterone. Because higher cortisol levels can lead to low T, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option, when used in conjunction with therapy, is TRT. When TRT is used to replenish hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more optimistic mood. That's great news for depressed men who have had little-to-no success with powerful anti-depression meds.
Experts have found that men who lose a week's worth of sleep may experience a drop in testosterone by as much as 15%. These findings are alarming and may suggest that sleep loss lowers T levels and affects wellbeing.
If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, it could be time to have your testosterone levels checked. TRT may restore your testosterone levels which can help you sleep better with proper exercise and diet.
Are you struggling to lift weights in the gym or find that you can't pick up items that used to be easy to lift? Studies show that inactive men can lose .5% of muscle strength each year after the age of 25. When you hit 60, muscle loss doubles every ten years. While muscle loss is common with age, it can also be linked to low T.
Testosterone is a crucial piece needed for building and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors are prescribing TRT for males experiencing sharp declines in strength and muscle mass. Whether your workouts are losing steam or you're having problems lifting items that aren't very heavy, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
Nobody likes to gain weight, even though our society is more accepting of overweight people than ever before. Despite diets and carb cutting, many men aren't able to get rid of excess belly and body fat, increasing the chances of heart disease and cancer.
Sometimes, male weight gain isn't caused by sweets and carbs but by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism. This phase of life is called andropause and occurs when testosterone levels are low. Combining a low metabolism with other symptoms like high cortisol levels can be a recipe for a double-chinned disaster. Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The enlargement of male breast tissue, also called "man boobs," is a fairly common condition that many men have. Though it is closely associated with diet and other life choices, increased fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances.
If you're approaching middle age and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
The human body is amazing in so many ways. Still, we have to optimize it every now and then using science, medicine, and hard work. After 40, you may notice that your body is changing, but symptoms like low libido and lack of motivation don't have to be permanent. Juventee has the team, tools, and experience to help recapture your youth and feel better than ever before.
If you're getting older and you're worried about low testosterone, give our office a call today. It would be our pleasure to care for you using the highest quality products, backed by research and applied by professionals with your best interests in mind.
Whether you need a boost to help you get through your busy work week or a natural solution to an embarrassing problem like ED, we're here for you. Our doctors will explain your treatment options in-depth and take as much time as you need to feel comfortable and confident about TRT. Remember, when you treat your body with love and care, it will reciprocate generously. Let our team teach you the techniques to prolong your sense of youth and provide you with the treatment to solidify your wellbeing as you age with grace. Contact Juventee today. By tomorrow, you'll be one step closer to meeting the best version of yourself.
Anthony Puglisi scored 21 points to lead fifth-seeded Indian Hills past 13th-seeded Westwood 48-29 in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 Tournament in Oakland.Indian Hills (19-6) took a 20-18 lead into halftime before shutting Westwood (12-14) out in the third quarter and pushing it to a 15-point advantage. Indian Hills also outscored Westwood 15-11 in the fourth to win its eighth in a row.James Hickey added 10 points for Indian Hills while Robbie Carcich led Westwood with 11.Indian Hills will face...
Anthony Puglisi scored 21 points to lead fifth-seeded Indian Hills past 13th-seeded Westwood 48-29 in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 Tournament in Oakland.
Indian Hills (19-6) took a 20-18 lead into halftime before shutting Westwood (12-14) out in the third quarter and pushing it to a 15-point advantage. Indian Hills also outscored Westwood 15-11 in the fourth to win its eighth in a row.
James Hickey added 10 points for Indian Hills while Robbie Carcich led Westwood with 11.
Indian Hills will face top-seeded Ramsey in the semifinals on Saturday.
Ramsey 48, Jefferson 38
Top-seeded defeated ninth-seeded Jefferson 48-38 in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 Tournament in Ramsey.
With the victory, Ramsey (22-4) won its fifth in a row and six of its last seven.
Ramsey will face fifth-seeded Indian Hills in the semifinals on Saturday.
Jefferson fell to 17-7.
Glen Rock 48, Wallkill Valley 45
Mason Mangione scored 13 points to help lift 11th-seeded Glen Rock over 14th-seeded Wallkill Valley 48-45 in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 Tournament in Glen Rock.
Luke Famularo added 10 points for Glen Rock (16-10) while Jack Hattersley had nine.
Ryan Geene led Wallkill Valley (12-15) with 27 points and went 10-10 from the free-throw line.
Glen Rock will face second-seeded Elmwood Park in the semifinals on Saturday.
Wallkill Valley fell to 12-15.
Elmwood Park 61, Pascack Hills 55
DeWayne Carter led second-seeded Elmwood Park with 15 points over seventh-seeded Pascack Hills 61-55 in the quarterfinals of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 2 Tournament in Elmwood Park.
David Forzani and Ivan Corcino Mejia added 10 points for Elmwood Park (21-5) while Alex Picinich and Essam Assaf had 10. With the victory, the Crusaders won seven of its last eight games.
Elmwood Park will face 11th-seeded Glen Rock in the semifinals on Saturday.
Pascack Hills dropped to 13-12.
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There will be no parties or banquet hall-style events at the proposed Monsun Indian Cuisine in Oradell, according to testimony from its owner at last week’s zoning board meeting.“It’s a lot of work to have a party,” said owner Rekha Karnik. “I’m shying away from having parties at my new place.”The proposal for a two-story, 92-seat restaurant by applicant RK Holdings LLC had its fifth hearing on Wednesday night, and it revealed more details about the proposed restaurant fo...
There will be no parties or banquet hall-style events at the proposed Monsun Indian Cuisine in Oradell, according to testimony from its owner at last week’s zoning board meeting.
“It’s a lot of work to have a party,” said owner Rekha Karnik. “I’m shying away from having parties at my new place.”
The proposal for a two-story, 92-seat restaurant by applicant RK Holdings LLC had its fifth hearing on Wednesday night, and it revealed more details about the proposed restaurant for 240 Kinderkamack Road. Karnik owns a Monsun Indian Cuisine in River Edge, which will be closed and moved to the Oradell location if the application is approved.
Karnik said the second floor wouldn’t have enough space for these types of events and she plans instead to have a permanent buffet on the second floor. The first floor will also have a buffet on the weekends, as the staff will remove some seating to make room for it on those days, Karnik said.
Karnik, who has owned the property since 2004, said she used to run a software development company from the location before the then-building burned down in a fire. She decided to move her restaurant to the empty Oradell lot after hearing about another new restaurant that’s coming to the downtown
“That area is surrounded by small eateries, and now there’s two big, nice restaurants coming to town,” Karnik said. “I thought having an Indian restaurant would be a good cultural diversity. If you look at Westwood or Ridgewood downtowns, there’s so many different ethnic places, and people enjoy the variety that they offer.”
Previous coverage:Indian restaurant proposal in Oradell revised. Here's what changed in the plan
One of the restaurants in question is Ora, a 248-seat, two-story restaurant with outdoor dining and a vegetable garden. It was approved in May 2021 and recently started construction. The owners of Fire & Oak, a popular bar and restaurant with locations in Montvale and Jersey City, are also planning to bring a venture called "The Oak House Grill" to the site of the borough's former Charlie Brown's steakhouse, which closed in 2020.
Monsun Indian Cuisine, if approved, would be open Tuesday to Sunday, with lunchtime from noon to 3 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Karnik said. She plans to have 12 employees, including three chefs.
RK Holdings is seeking six variances for aspects of the project that would deviate from local zoning requirements, including for its front-yard setback, parking, and the floor-area ratio, a measure of a building’s floor space in relation to the size of the lot.
The top floor of the restaurant would have 48 seats, down from the 54 seats proposed in past hearings. The first floor, which also contains the kitchen, food preparation area, reception area and bathrooms, would have 44 seats.
The next hearing for Monsun Indian Cuisine will be heard before the Oradell zoning board on March 20 at Borough Hall, at 355 Kinderkamack Road. The meeting also will be livestreamed by OPTV on the borough's website.
After 16 years, Jack's Cafe, a snug, funky diner in Westwood, is set to close on Dec. 10.Chef and owner Chris D'Eletto said the nearly three-year-old financial devastation COVID-19 had inflicted on his cozy, breakfast-lunch-and-dinner spot is the primary reason he plans to close its doors. But first, he'll throw a "thank-you" party for Westwood with free food and wine."We love Westwood. It has been such a loyal and loving community," said D'Eletto, who lives a half-mile from his restaurant in ...
After 16 years, Jack's Cafe, a snug, funky diner in Westwood, is set to close on Dec. 10.
Chef and owner Chris D'Eletto said the nearly three-year-old financial devastation COVID-19 had inflicted on his cozy, breakfast-lunch-and-dinner spot is the primary reason he plans to close its doors. But first, he'll throw a "thank-you" party for Westwood with free food and wine.
"We love Westwood. It has been such a loyal and loving community," said D'Eletto, who lives a half-mile from his restaurant in the borough. "If I'd catch a red light, I'd consider that a bad commute," he quipped.
D'Eletto said the cafe, whose red walls are covered in family photos and vinyl records (D'Eletto is a huge Springsteen fan), was struggling financially in the last few years.
"We would break even some weeks and some weeks it would cost me," he said. "I was keeping the cafe open so my guys could have a job." His staff, he said, are "family." Tears were shed when he announced the closing to them, he reported.
More:Shopper's Find department store closing permanently this week at Willowbrook Mall
D'Eletto, however, said he is closing also because he plans to work with his son, Johnny, at Donut Villa Diner, a thriving restaurant that is about to open its fourth location in the Boston area. His son is its manager.
For several months, D'Eletto has been communing to Boston to help the restaurants set up. "I was doing it as a favor to my son," he said.
But when the owner put forward a "very generous offer" to come on board permanently, he said, "I decided to make the change."
He added, "It's been a great 16 years."
However, he said he does not plan to leave the metropolitan area.
"I love New Jersey, I love New York," he said. "I take acting classes in the city. I love the New York Giants. I have my season tickets. I'm not leaving here."
More:These North Jersey eateries and businesses closing for good
The goodbye party is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 10. Among the free food that will be offered: chicken parm, sliders and mozzarella sticks.
Jack's Cafe is at 325 Broadway, Westwood; 201-666-0400, jackscafenj.com.
Sam Selvam’s family gave him a mug that crystallizes his steely calmness in a single phrase: “In case of emergency, ask Sam.” When the 50-year-old Westwood, New Jersey, man realized he was having a heart attack in January 2022, he channeled this inborn composure. After taking an aspirin, Sam made two phone calls to ensure his 12-year-old would have transportation to and from sports practices. Then he called 911.“It’s what I tell my boys: Think before you do something, and make sure you’re ready for ...
Sam Selvam’s family gave him a mug that crystallizes his steely calmness in a single phrase: “In case of emergency, ask Sam.” When the 50-year-old Westwood, New Jersey, man realized he was having a heart attack in January 2022, he channeled this inborn composure. After taking an aspirin, Sam made two phone calls to ensure his 12-year-old would have transportation to and from sports practices. Then he called 911.
“It’s what I tell my boys: Think before you do something, and make sure you’re ready for any situation. Do good; be good,” says Sam, a corporate real estate consultant. “I was raised to always be prepared.”
But little could actually prepare Sam for what would unfold over the coming days. When first responders met him outside his home, he collapsed, suffering more sharp, debilitating chest pain. CPR kept him alive until his ambulance reached Pascack Valley Medical Center, where his condition became dire when another round of severe symptoms hit. Close to death, Sam was immediately airlifted by helicopter to Hackensack University Medical Center, where specialists blended expertise, the latest cardiovascular technology and medications to help him not only live, but thrive.
When Sam arrived at Hackensack, he was in cardiogenic shock. Hisheart was so weak it could not pump blood to the tissues. It was an all-hands-on-deck situation to make sure he had more than a 50/50 chance of surviving.
Admittedly, Sam’s lifestyle choices had placed his heart at risk. A pack-a-day smoker since his youth, the father of two also ate poorly. “Bacon was an appetizer and dessert for me, and I drank soda nonstop,” he recalls. But Sam’s prediabetes was in check, and he stayed active with his boys, often playing soccer and shooting baskets.
To shore up Sam’s failing heart, which was pumping blood at only 15 percent of capacity, an interventional cardiologist threaded a tiny pump called an Impella device into the heart through blood vessels in his leg. The device temporarily takes over the work of the organ to keep blood circulating properly while the heart rests and heals. The cardiac catheterization team also inserted a cage-like stent to open the left anterior descending artery—often dubbed the “widowmaker”—near Sam’s heart where plaque had ruptured, creating the clot that triggered Sam’s extensive heart attack episode.
Sam’s heart was still struggling. He was upgraded to a second, stronger Impella pump that could provide even more heart support, which was implanted by cardiac surgeon Yuriy Dudiy, M.D. “Collaboration among multiple specialists and access to advanced devices like the Impella technologies enable us to treat life-threatening escalation in the sickest patients,” says Dr. Dudiy.
Sam’s organs had been without proper oxygen during his cardiac crisis, resulting in kidney failure. He underwent dialysis treatments to compensate for his kidney failure and filter waste from his body. Medications to bolster his heart’s pumping ability enabled doctors to remove the Impella before Sam was discharged nearly one month after his saga began.
Committed to living a healthier lifestyle, Sam drinks much more water than soda these days and no longer smokes. His kidneys fully recovered, helping him regain his vitality and even hike with his sons at the Grand Canyon. Within a few months, he was also back on the soccer field in an annual parents vs. kids game. “I ran for 30 minutes straight and felt great,” he says.
Sam takes an array of daily medications and has frequent follow-up visits with cardiologist Kanika Mody, M.D., who specializes in heart failure and transplantation cardiology. His heart still pumps with less force than normal, but Dr. Mody is encouraged by how well he’s doing.
“He’s gotten a lot stronger and has a great attitude,” Dr. Mody says. “As long as he follows the plan, he should do really well and won’t need more medications. He’s young, with an active family, and he wants to be part of that. That makes it so fruitful when you see these outcomes.”
The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.
Westwood Plaza, a faceless strip mall in Bergen County, is now home to one of New Jersey’s most dubious pieces of retail history.Here lies New Jersey’s last remaining Kmart, a zombified version of the once-omnipresent franchise wading toward its final Blue Light Special. Stowed a few miles off the Garden State Parkway, the lonely store is now one of only three U.S....
Westwood Plaza, a faceless strip mall in Bergen County, is now home to one of New Jersey’s most dubious pieces of retail history.
Here lies New Jersey’s last remaining Kmart, a zombified version of the once-omnipresent franchise wading toward its final Blue Light Special. Stowed a few miles off the Garden State Parkway, the lonely store is now one of only three U.S. locations left standing, after the franchise’s Avenel location shuttered in April amid sweeping closures.
Kmart, which opened its first store in Michigan in 1962 (born from a five-and-dime called Kresge’s founded in 1899), once touted dozens of New Jersey locations among its nearly 2,500 North American stores, peaking in 1994. Nostalgic shoppers may recall spinoffs like Super Kmart, Super Kmart Center and Big Kmart.
The Jersey staple was a cheaper and more convenient retail option than the mall, and Kmart offered a little bit of everything — a one-stop shop for clothing, cleaning supplies, appliances, sports equipment, jewelry and more. And if you got hungry from all that perusing, a hot dog or bag of popcorn was ready in the cafe.
“They would have everything you needed,” said Adele, a resident of nearby Piermont, N.Y. who still makes the trip across the state line to visit the Westwood Kmart. “Household items, accessories, toys, kids things. Bicycles, there was a whole line that you could select from.”
But during our visit last week, the lingering big box store was almost empty — more of a derelict, fluorescently lit portal to the past than a functional shopping experience. Shelves were sparse or altogether barren, loosely stocked with Trapper Keepers, above-ground pools and Valentine’s Day cards (it’s June). One corner of the store was completely bereft of merchandise, blocked off to customers by a barricade of shelves. Elsewhere, Adele’s line of bikes was reduced to a dwindling few on an otherwise bare wall.
Yet one aisle remained full: The DVD section, a format made obsolete by the internet — just like Kmart. Posters for movies and TV shows that have since been replaced by sequels and new seasons were still on display: Season 3 of “Stranger Things,” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” both of which were released in 2019.
Only a handful of staff members remain employed at the Westwood location (none were made available to talk to NJ Advance Media), yet they nearly outnumbered the paltry few customers who lurked in the aisles.
When asked if the final Jersey store, first opened in 1982, has plans to close, the store’s manager declined comment and directed NJ Advance Media to contact their corporate office, operated by Illinois-based parent company Transformco, which was not reachable for comment.
But let’s be real — it doesn’t look good.
Washington Township resident Rosanne used to shop at the Kmart in Paramus, which closed in 2014, before she started taking trips to the Westwood store. She’d bring her grandchildren here while babysitting, “just to waste time.” She still finds herself shopping there for herself now. On this day, she was simply looking for a broom.
“I can’t say it’s nostalgic. But it’s convenient,” Rosanne said. “It was around when my kids were little. So you know, it’s been around for a long time.”
She noted that the store’s selection was somehow even more meager just a few months ago, and worse still during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — less stock was difficult to imagine.
“I hope it stays here,” Rosanne said. “Or, maybe a Walmart.”
While Kmart was never as dominant as Walmart — the Arkansas-based chain has more than 10,000 stores worldwide — it certainly held its own in the battle for New Jersey shoppers’ business through the end of the 20th Century.
Then came a financial crisis and bankruptcy in 2002 along with the closure of hundreds of stores as the company’s CEO was sued by the SEC for misleading shareholders. Sales continued to dwindle, and 326 more locations were shuttered the next year. As Target, Walmart and online shopping became more dominant, Kmart withered. The chain’s biggest impact on New Jersey in recent years was at the West Orange shop, which closed in 2020 and became a COVID-19 vaccine center for Essex County.
When reached by NJ Advance Media, Kmart declined comment on the remaining stores’ profitability or the future of the company.
Could Kmart keep on limping along, with only this lowly trio of brick-and-mortar locations as other shoppers presumably buy online? Perhaps, but judging by how little upkeep was being provided to the Westwood store, imminent closure seems far more likely.
Aiden Martin, a 19-year-old from Hillsdale, used to come to the Westwood Kmart all the time as a kid. He and friends would play hide-and-seek throughout the stores well-stocked aisles and build forts out of toilet paper, seeing if they could stay hidden even after the store had closed.
“There used to be couches everywhere. It’s kind of all gone. Gone with the times, I guess,” Martin said. “It takes a little bit of fun out of my childhood memories to see it completely dead now with nothing. Everything’s cheap. But it’s just like everything’s gone.”
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