Sears in Santa Monica Is Closing (Torrance, Arcadia: mall, remodel, better)

[Maliblue]

I am surprised that Sears store is still there. I don't think I have gone inside more than once or twice in my life.

Sears is doomed if it continues to operate according to the 20th century model of a department store. For the last 10 years, I've said to anyone who wanted to listen (which isn't many people, to be honest) that Sears' one big hope would be to return to its early roots as a catalog store (i.e. the Amazon model), and use its properties as distribution centers for online orders.

I hate to see the death of department stores, but after witnessing the deaths of book stores, record stores, hardware stores, single screen movie theaters, independent diners, and almost any other shop that could make spending a day in any downtown pleasant enough, I'm kinda jaded now. An empty, seedy-looking department store is more depressing than none at all.

More unskilled jobs lost, which creates societal problems of its own, but insolvency is insolvency. You can't prop up businesses that perennially lose money.

[Cinema Cat]

That Sears was one of the last holdouts of "normal," middle class stores in Santa Monica. They're all being replaced by high-end retailers and pretentious bistros.

Sears is going the way of Norm's, Zucky's, Biff's, King George's, the Goodyear Auto Center on Wilshire, the All American Burger, etc.

I bought a lot of stuff at Sears over the years. My more recent purchase was a bathrobe last year. Sears looked deserted, as it often did in the latter years. I wondered how they stayed in business.

[Cinema Cat]

Originally Posted by Maliblue

An empty, seedy-looking department store is more depressing than none at all.

There's something quaint about an empty, seedy-looking department store. They're so gritty, and full of character, and authenticity, and, and ... nostalgia. They evoke fond memories.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

It does not look seedy. It's a little worn for use, but that's okay because it was built to last and it certainly did.

[saybanana]

Good it is going. They should put something people actually go to like a Target. Not many people to the Sears in Glendale compared to other stores. I feel that is going to die, too. If it was part of the other shopping centers, maybe it would get more visitors.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

No, what's a waste of space is the new Santa Monica Place. The old one was a good place to go on a rainy day to shop while staying dry. The new hipster version, sans roof, is a really stupid idea.

Yeah the new Santa Monica Place mall seems to just appeal to tourists . Nothing really practical .
Seems to be the same for the 3rd street promenade too . There used to be some more independent type shops but now everything is chains that you can find in other parts of the city .

Guess when rents get so high it's only the big nationwide or global chains that can afford to rent space in a place like that .

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by Cinema Cat

That Sears was one of the last holdouts of "normal," middle class stores in Santa Monica. They're all being replaced by high-end retailers and pretentious bistros.

Sears is going the way of Norm's, Zucky's, Biff's, King George's, the Goodyear Auto Center on Wilshire, the All American Burger, etc.

I bought a lot of stuff at Sears over the years. My more recent purchase was a bathrobe last year. Sears looked deserted, as it often did in the latter years. I wondered how they stayed in business.

Yeah it is kind of sad to see that going away . The middle class type places .

I'm sure they would of closed years ago if these had a lease .
That property has to be worth a fortune these days .

There is also a sears that's been closed a long time in east Hollywood but it's just been sitting .

There has been talk about it being redeveloped for a while .

New Design Emerges for East Hollywood Development | Urbanize LA

I can definitely see that area changing especially with all the gentrification in Hollywood area going on and the surrounding area .

In regards to the Santa Monica store I had heard something about it having historic status so maybe they won't be able to tear it down ? ..

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by saybanana

Good it is going. They should put something people actually go to like a Target. Not many people to the Sears in Glendale compared to other stores. I feel that is going to die, too. If it was part of the other shopping centers, maybe it would get more visitors.

And when I think of shopping at Sears I always think about how much we loved the one in Glendale. It was almost our home away from home. Yes, think change, but we have to accept and learn to live with the new. It is still fun to remember back when as long as we realize that was then.

[pwright1]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

No, what's a waste of space is the new Santa Monica Place. The old one was a good place to go on a rainy day to shop while staying dry. The new hipster version, sans roof, is a really stupid idea.

Indoor malls should not be allowed in southern California. It's the land of sunshine and great weather. It was time for the old, out of date enclosed mall to go.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by pwright1

Indoor malls should not be allowed in southern California. It's the land of sunshine and great weather. It was time for the old, out of date enclosed mall to go.

Maybe with the exception of the big mall of America, most of them are on their way out if not gone already. 2 in ABQ have closed, the few we knew in Dallas are about gone: there are a few there. There is one in Ft Smith AR that is just about dead and the one here in NWA has seen better days. I think one of them in Covina, CA is either gone or about gone and the one in Arcadia the same. We were in one of the ones in Torrance about 5 years ago, the one with Sears, dead!!!!