Magic Mart

Magic Mart was a family-owned discount department store chain that served communities across the Appalachian region for nearly a century. The company began in 1920, when the Ammar family opened the first store in Williamson, West Virginia. Over the decades, Magic Mart grew steadily, expanding into West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and North Carolina. By the late 1980s, the chain operated more than 20 locations, focusing on small and mid-sized towns that were often bypassed by larger national retailers.

As of September 2018, Magic Mart operated 23 stores. The company was known for offering a wide range of general merchandise, including clothing, housewares, electronics, and seasonal items, aiming to meet the needs of value-focused shoppers in rural markets. Throughout its history, Magic Mart remained privately held under the ownership of Ammar, Inc., and maintained a strong reputation for local hiring and community involvement.

A notable milestone in Magic Mart’s history was its sustained presence in secondary and tertiary markets, where it often served as a key anchor tenant and generated steady customer traffic. The company’s large-format stores provided stability for shopping centers in these regions.

In July 2018, Magic Mart announced plans to close all locations due to persistent sales declines and increased competition from national big-box chains and online retailers. All stores were closed by September 2018, concluding the brand’s operations after nearly 100 years. Following the closures, Ammar, Inc. shifted its focus to property management and redevelopment. The departure of Magic Mart left significant retail vacancies across several states, opening new possibilities for redevelopment and fresh retail concepts in the former store spaces.