My local Sears is closing

[blackwolfe]

We all know that the economy in general has been bad and in Michigan it has been especially hard hit for some time.  We have been strugggling in Southwest Michigan for awhile.  Heard on the local radio station that the local Sears store at the mall is closing.  The reason given was a lease problem, but I doubt that is the whole story.  The last few times I have been there it was virtually empty of customers.  This Sears is located in a mall that is perhaps about 50% vacant.  There is speculation that the other 2 anchor stores, Penneys and Elder Beerman may soon close also.  For the money and the average personal use, you can't beat Craftsman tools and their paint has served me well also.  They are a big seller of exercise equipment and have a good selection of home appliances including the hometown Whirpool family.  I hope this is not an indication of where Sears as a whole is heading.
Thousands of jobs have been lost in this area from large and small businesse alike.  There use to be dozens of small tool and die shops and small machining companies, many related to the automotive field.  The number of people I know out of work is growing rapidly.  Like they use to say in the 80's last one out of Michigan, please turn out the lights

[twyacht]

Sad to hear blackwolfe, the snowball effect has not stopped yet, I remember Montgomery Wards, back in the day, Sears and Wards sold firearms. Than became "politically correct".

Along with others, some made it, (although Wal-Mart's in my area don't sell firearms anymore). It still sucks.

I own Craftsman tools, and have bought all kinds of stuff from Sears over the years.

The lease problem is simple, they pay rent to the mall owners, and can no longer afford to do so.

Michigan is having it tougher than some other states. We were a Four Winns Boat Dealer out of Cadillac, MI, and I have been there many times. Sales bottomed out, and the dealers had more inventory than they could sell.  Just like the automotive industry, cuts had to be made.

Very sad.

[runstowin]

I'm sorry to hear that, when I was a kid it was a big deal to go to Sears and Wards, now no Wards or Woolworth, and no Sears close by.

[JSC3ATLCSO]

Does anyone know where I can get my Wards socket wrench replaced?

[fightingquaker13]

Does anyone know where I can get my Wards socket wrench replaced?

Sears.
Fq13

[Sponsor]

[JSC3ATLCSO]

Sears.
Fq13

Exactly.. Hopefully the Sears future isn't like the Wards past.. I'm stitting on a few Wards tools that cannot be replaced.  I have to many to count of the Craftsman tools.  That would really be aggravating.  While I am young.. I do still remember M/W