STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- From signature Toughskin jeans known for their durability to Kenmore appliances, Sears was a go-to store for many Staten Islanders for more than four decades. So upon hearing that the retailer will close its doors in the Staten Island Mall, New Springville, many Staten Islanders shared their memories on SiLive.com and Facebook.
“Very sad. I have fond memories of when the store opened,” said Carolyn Gay on the Advance’s Facebook page. “My mom always bought our appliances from Sears. I remember when Sears was on Forest Ave too. My parents always shopped at Sears. They had everything you could need.”
A customer at the jewelry counter at Sears. (Staten Island Advance)
SiLive commenter Mac, said: “Memories....who remembers when Sears sold candy? Those chocolate blocks!!! We would wait every Christmas season for the Christmas catalog so we [could] make our Christmas list to Santa... Singing...Come see the the softer side of Sears (one of their commercials) [g]oodbye Sears."
Many said the store, which was located at the Mall for 46 years, was part of their memories of growing up on Staten Island.
Said My2Cents: “I remember as a kid always going to the tool department and wishing I had all these tools. I always love[d] the mechanic sets and even after I got my first car I always own[ed] craftsman tools. I’m sure most of us can remember it was a great time in our lives. So sad to see it close up, just another part of my youth growing up on Staten Island taken away.”
Long lines at Sears customer service in 1996. (Staten Island Advance)
Many Islanders say they always awaited the Sears Christmas catalogue in the mail each year.
“So sad, Sears was a big part of my household growing up. Used to love getting that big toy catalog before Christmas too! That’s where I got all my ideas from, lol,” said Kristinn Nicholaou on Facebook.
Many Islanders shared memories of the items they remember purchasing at the store.
“In one trip to Sears my dad brought back a 40-year-old Craftsmen screwdriver, a pair of Sears brand work boots he wore for a couple of years, but had a defect, and a pair of Sears brand jeans that a rivet had popped out on,” said M.I. “They happily replaced all of the items. That would have been in the early eighties. Sears Christmas catalog showing up meant school would be starting soon!”
Said @Tom: “I remember going there with my parents to buy a lawn mower in the 1960s. The salesman was so excited to sell the top of the line model, and he helped my dad put the mower in the rear of the Rambler station wagon. My dad and the salesman shook hands, and we drove away forgetting to pay. We got all the way home before dad realized, and he was very upset thinking the salesman would lose his job. Dad called the store right away and we all went back. My dad made the store manager promise to give the man another chance.”
Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani looking at boots in Sears in 1998. (Staten Island Advance)
EMPLOYEE MEMORIES
Sears has employed many Staten Islanders over the years. Current and former employees say they are sad to see the store go.
“I worked my [second] job at that store for [three] years. Although it was rough working [two] jobs to support my family I found the staff and management to be family oriented and a pleasant working environment,” said Len Bosso on Facebook. “I have many fond memories of that time in my life.”
Said Kenny Bates on Facebook: “I used to work in the automotive [department] here, I’m [definitely] going to miss it. Met and worked with so many nice people here. Still‚ after 30 years, after I left I’m still close to some people here. It was a fun job to have when I was going through college.”
People stand on line at Sears to return, exchange and purchase gifts after the holidays in 1996. (Staten Island Advance)
BANKRUPTCY
According to a Sears spokesperson, the store will close in mid-September.
In October, Sears Holdings announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At the time Sears announced it would be closing a batch of stores, but that the Staten Island location would remain.
“As part of Sears Holdings’ bankruptcy proceedings, our go-forward company, Transform Holdco LLC, [which acquired Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores after the bankruptcy filing] has the right not to acquire various contracts that were entered into by Sears Holdings,” said the Sears spokesperson.
"Transform Holdco was not able to reach a satisfactory agreement with the landlord of our Sears store at Staten Island Mall, and thus decided not to acquire the current lease for the store," he added.
Representatives of the Staten Island Mall said they can’t comment on new leases for the space occupied by Sears.
The Sears spokesperson said a liquidation sale will start this month.
An aerial view of the Staten Island Mall taken in 2000. (Staten Island Advance)Staten Island Advance
RECENT DOWNSIZING
Sears footprint in the Mall has been slowly shrinking over the last few years.
For 40 years, Sears had occupied 160,000 square feet on two levels at the Mall.
The retailer’s second level in the Staten Island Mall closed in August 2016 to make way for Primark, which opened less than a year later at the Mall.
Sears downsized into a 40,000-square-foot space on the first floor three years ago.
In February 2016, Sears Auto Center in the Mall in closed.
The auto center was a favorite spot for Staten Island motorists to get their cars fixed or battery or tires replaced since March 1973, when Sears opened in the Mall.
The Container Store is now in that space.
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