Sears

denice

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http://www.startribune.com/sears-has-substantial-doubt-about-its-future/416804094/

It looks like, barring a miracle, Sears will be closing.  I am 61 and I don't remember a time without Sears.  I grew up on a farm in a rural area so there was a lot of ordering from catalogs.  I also remember their Christmas catalog.  My ex was a mechanic and he got all of his tools from Sears because of their lifetime warranty.  I was with him when he exchanged tools a few times and there was never a hassle.  He would just give them the old one and they would hand him a new tool,  no receipt, no hassle they just replaced the old one.
 

Winchester

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In a way, it's sad. When we were kids and even when my son was younger, we looked forward to the Sears Christmas Wishbook coming in the mail. Anybody else remember the Wishbook?

Dad always used Craftsmen tools. Mom always went to Sears and to Penny's for much of her shopping. I've shopped at Penny's for clothing, and for home items (towels, drapes, etc.) for decades. We used to have three JCP's within about a 30-mile radius; we lost one a couple years ago at our local mall and are losing the other two in JCP's latest attempt to stave off (what many see as) the inevitable end. And it's a shame. 

Sears pretty much lost me as a customer a few years ago, other than our NordicTrack elliptical, we don't shop there often, if at all anymore. Our local store turned into a mess a few years ago, with not very good brands of clothing that was poorly made. Store became outdated and good luck trying to find a clerk to help you. There were times that we went down to the mall on a Friday night and the Sears store was dark and closed. I posted in the dishwasher thread about trying to deal with their appliance repair people. We don't shop at KMart that often either, simply because it's more of a hassle than anything. 
 

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I just sent a text to Jon about this. he LOVES his craftsmen tools. Me meh. I prefer snap on or better made tools. But they do have a good exchange program. I have purchased screw drivers etc at yard sales that were beat up and took them in and get a replacement no questions asked. Unfortunately with manufacturing not our strong suit anymore I have been disappointed with the quality of tools for some time.

I don't remember the wishbook but I do remember my neighbors always bought stuff at Sears. I didn't really care for their clothes. I don't like lands End brand. It's expensive and not well made. I did buy a winter coat from them about 7 years ago and I still have it. I bought a swim suit from Lands End and it's held up pretty well. But the rest of the clothing I don't care for.

I used to buy my workboots there at one time. The after Christmas sales used to be really good too. I always liked poking around that store.

Do you guys remember monkey wards (Montgomery Wards)? That was our favorite store-my dad and I. I bought my first stereo from them. I still have parts of it but I don't use it.  

We have a small sears store in the plaza where planet fitness is that I go to. They just moved there. It's been about 6 months. Not sure how much business they get there but it's not that busy. Seems the gym and the Little Caesars pizza place gets the most foot traffic. Theres a nail salon and rentacenter but they don't get tons of traffic. H and R block too. But It's strange that Sears moved from the Lilac mall in Rochester to this location. This location has less parking and it's much smaller. hmmmmm...
 

neely

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Do you guys remember monkey wards (Montgomery Wards)? That was our favorite store-my dad and I. I bought my first stereo from them. I still have parts of it but I don't use it.  
Yes, I remember Montgomery Wards but can't remember how long it's been gone.  It seems like a long time.  

For anyone from Chicago I think one of the greatest tragedies was when the famous Louis Sullivan designed building that housed Carson Pirie Scott went out and Target moved in.  Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Target and shop there from time to time but seeing it in that iconic building just isn't the same.  Of course, seeing Macy's in the Marshall Field's building is even worse. 
 
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denice

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I worked with a woman a number of years ago whose fiancee was from Chicago.  When they went to visit his family she always went to Marshall Fields.  She would bring in a box of these chocolates with a mint cream center and covered in dark chocolate after a trip to Chicago.   They were from Marshall Fields.
 

neely

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I worked with a woman a number of years ago whose fiancee was from Chicago.  When they went to visit his family she always went to Marshall Fields.  She would bring in a box of these chocolates with a mint cream center and covered in dark chocolate after a trip to Chicago.   They were from Marshall Fields.
Ah yes, the good ole days - those were Frango Mints. 
  They even made a Frango Mint pie.
 

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I had my very first job there, seasonal in the Christmas department when I was 15. they didn't keep me on, but it was a fun first job
 

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I just found an article that The Limited Store is GONAZO! omG! I am going to stop at the mall this weekend to see if they have anything left. I guess there was an article in January that they were closing all stores. I wasn't sure if they liquidated everything..darn I missed out on a good brand again. They made good work slacks that held up to washing.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...all-of-its-250-stores/?utm_term=.ea4446a68ff3

Wow how many more are going down??
 

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Our local Sears store is closing by the end of the month.

When I was a kid I couldn't wait for that catalog at Christmastime. When I was younger, Sears was the place to go. My father got all of his tools there, etc. Through the years they went downhill, and we now only go there for tools or yard equipment, if that. Their clothes got to be only for more mature women, and as I've gotten older and closer to their target group, the quality has gone downhill.

I'm concerned that it's going to be hard to get replacement parts for our two Craftsmen lawn mowers.
 
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denice

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I just found an article that The Limited Store is GONAZO! omG! I am going to stop at the mall this weekend to see if they have anything left. I guess there was an article in January that they were closing all stores. I wasn't sure if they liquidated everything..darn I missed out on a good brand again. They made good work slacks that held up to washing.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news...all-of-its-250-stores/?utm_term=.ea4446a68ff3

Wow how many more are going down??
I remember in the 90's they had a chain called 'Limited Express'.  It was one of the places that teenage girls shopped at.  
 
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