CORRECTION: The Big Lots in Sanford will open Friday, Nov. 16. Correction made at 4 p.m. Nov. 15, 2012.

Kmart is closing its Durham store at 4215 University Drive and laying off 79 people, the company announced in a letter filed this week with the N.C. Department of Commerce.

The store, which operated for nearly three decades, is slated to close Jan. 20. Liquidation sales will get under way this weekend.

“These decisions are never easy, because Kmart appreciates being a member of the community,” said Kmart spokesman Chris Brathwaite. “However, we made a business decision to not renew the lease at this location based on its performance.”

The majority of employees are part-time and will have an opportunity to apply for openings at area Sears and Kmart stores, Brathwaite said.

Both retailers are owned by Sears Holdings Corp., which operates 46 Kmart and four Sears stores in North Carolina.

Roaming Hunger, which enables people to find food trucks, is now offering its service in the Triangle. The company has launched a website, www.roaminghunger.com/rdu and an iPhone app for the region. The site and app allow users to track food trucks in real-time, book catering and receive food truck alerts.

Dover Saddlery is opening a retail store in Raleigh’s Brier Creek area Friday. The store, at 7920 Skyland Ridge Parkway, is the retailer’s first in North Carolina and its 18th overall. The store offers English saddles, breeches and riding boots for English equestrians. A ribbon-cutting will be at 9 a.m., and shoppers will be able to enter to win a $500 shopping spree.

Big Lots will reopen its store in Sanford on Nov. 16. The store, at 3000 South Horner Blvd., has been closed since it was damaged by the tornado that ripped through Sanford on April 16, 2011. ... Omega Jewelry opened a retail jewelry kiosk at Northgate Mall in Durham featuring 10k and 14k gold, diamonds, sterling silver, watches and fashion jewelry. The kiosk is between Macy’s and the Northgate Food Gallery and will be open mall hours through the end of the year. ... Foodies Fixin Finder has opened at 5533 N.C. 42 Highway West, A14, Garner. The store provides many vegan, organic and gluten free items. Dennis Botelho is the owner and resident “foodie.”

Staff writers Amy Rue, John Murawski and David Bracken

Send retail items to arue@newsobserver.com