Sears Hometown Store closing after nearly 30 years

Eric Welch looks at it as an ideal business opportunity. For sale: an 8,000 to 10,000 square foot building snugged against a Meijer superstore and I-75, a highway artery that delivers customers from throughout the EUP and Northern Ontario.

Come July 17, make him an offer. Until then everything in his Sears Hometown Store is priced for liquidation. Welch made a store-closing announcement on social media May 23. Within 24 hours it had 16,000 hits.

The Sault Sears Hometown Store differs from many others in that Welch owns the business, which he purchased in August 2020 from Jason McKenney, who in turn owned it for 22 years. The building itself was constructed in the early 1990s.

“As far as I know, we’ve been the only Sears presence in the Sault over the years,” Welch said. “There was no Sears Roebuck here or a mall store, just us.”

Welch stresses that all sales and service plans drawn up during liquidation will be honored. However, in-store orders must be wrapped up by May 26.  “Customers will be connected with all pertinent warranties and service contracts, either through the manufacturer or Sears,” he said.

Sale of remaining inventory, plus removable retail gear such as shelving and office furniture, starts Friday, May 27. “Doors remain open during business hours until everything is gone, no later than July 17,” said Welch.

Which circles back to the business opportunity mentioned earlier. Welch is also a local realtor. Make him your best offer and the building will be yours.