Last Friday, Sears Holding Company announced the closing of another 80 Sears and Kmart stores nationwide. Among those to close this upcoming March is the Daytona Beach location at the Volusia Mall. It’s easy to see why many of these stores are closing though, after feeling as though stepping back in time from just one visit.
Originally opened in 1975, the store itself shows noticeable signs of aging. Outdated floor and wall patterns, as well as dingy restrooms are just the tip of the iceberg. The store shelves often are wobbly, and at times scattered with random items and/or empty. There’s also a defunct photo studio, now used as a storage space that’s blocked off by a black curtain. Just one lap around the entire store and it’s not hard to see why this location was put on the chopping block.
Local shopper Jason Potter lent his thoughts on the the Daytona location closing it’s doors; “I used to shop at the DeLand location before they closed that one. Now they’re going to close this store and there won’t be any left in the area. It’s sad.”
Still, even with the dim circumstances and knowledge of imminent death, the store associates themselves all seemed humble and optimistic. And there is still hope that Sears chairman Eddie Lampert might actually be able to keep the Sears brand from dying off completely with his recent bid to save the company. Only time will tell if this once giant retail chain will stand the test of time.
