UNITED STATES
               SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                
                     Washington, D.C. 20549
                                
                                
                            FORM 8-K
                                
                                
                         CURRENT REPORT
               PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
              THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 27, 1998  



                      Venture Stores, Inc.     
     (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


    Delaware               1-10590              43-0914490        
(State or Other          (Commission         (I.R.S.Employer 
Jurisdiction of          File Number)        Identification No.)
Incorporation)


     2001 East Terra Lane, O'Fallon, Missouri    63366-0110      
     (Address of Principal Executive Offices)    (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (314) 281-5500


                         Not Applicable                           
   (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) 






Item 3.   Bankruptcy or Receivership

On April 27, 1998, Venture Stores, Inc. (the "Company") filed in
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware a
motion to sell and assign the leases on most of its stores and
other real estate to Kimco Realty Corporation ("Kimco").

A copy of the press release issued by the company on April 27, 1998
is filed as Exhibit 99 hereto.




Item 7.   Financial Statements and Exhibits

(c)  Exhibits

     99   Press Release, dated April 27, 1998








                           SIGNATURES



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

                                VENTURE STORES, INC.  
                                   (Registrant)



                              By: /s/ Russell E. Solt            
                                 Name: Russell E. Solt
                                  Title: Executive Vice President -
                                         Administration and 
                                         Chief Financial Officer


Date: May 8,1998