Sears Faces Closure of Remaining Stores as Business Declines

Sears, once a titan of American retail, is nearing the end of its operational journey, with only a handful of stores remaining open. As of August 2025, just six Sears locations are still in business, following a series of closures that have marked the company’s decline. The most recent closures include the Whittier and Burbank stores in California, with the Burbank location set to shut its doors by August 31, 2025.

Sears was founded in 1886 by Richard Sears, who began selling gold watches at a train station in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company expanded significantly with the partnership of watchmaker Alvah Roebuck in 1887, leading to the launch of a mail-order catalog business. By 1894, the first catalog had grown to 322 pages, offering a wide array of products, from clothing to household appliances.

In its prime, Sears operated approximately 3,500 stores globally and became synonymous with American consumerism. The company introduced iconic brands such as Kenmore, DieHard, and Craftsman. The retail giant also produced the famous “Big Book” or “Wish Book,” which featured over 100,000 items, including everything from tools to entire house kits starting in 1908.

Despite its storied history, Sears has struggled in recent decades. In 2018, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and was acquired by its former CEO, billionaire Eddie Lampert, who established Transformco to manage its remaining stores. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the challenges facing Sears, stunting any recovery efforts.

Currently, Sears locations are still operational in Braintree, Massachusetts, and at the Cielo Vista Mall in El Paso, Texas. The two remaining stores in Florida, located in Miami and Orlando, are also still open, but their futures are uncertain. The Sears store at the Searstown Plaza in Miami is slated for redevelopment into a multifamily housing project, while the Orlando location is reportedly for sale or lease.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the impending closure of the final Sears locations marks the end of an era for a brand that once symbolized the heart of American retail. The impending closures also reflect broader trends in consumer behavior, as shoppers increasingly turn to online platforms for their purchasing needs.

With the remaining stores facing an uncertain future, Sears’s legacy as a retail powerhouse may soon be relegated to history, leaving many to reflect on the company that once dominated the marketplace.