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Menard’s, a chain of home supply stores, will take ownership of the vast, vacant Kmart store on Irving Park Road, a village official has announced.

Menard’s will take over May 1 and could open a store by late summer, Mike Richardson, the community development director, said last week.

Though village officials are relieved to have the Kmart space filled, the loss of the retailer was lamented by some village residents.

Kmart, which closed Feb. 28, was the village’s only department store and had operated in the village since 1971.

A new Kmart has opened at Barrington and Schaumburg Roads in neighboring Schaumburg.