Former Sears Turned Boscov's - Erie, PA

Former Sears Turned Boscov's - Erie, PA. Sears closed in 2017 and it didnt take long for the building to be repurposed. Boscov's renovated the building and opened in October 2018. I was here and filmed this location when it was being renovated and was allowed to peek inside. Since Boscov's took over, this place had become really nice.
Here is my original video: • Abandoned Sears Becomi...
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[@c.hanley1423]

This is like going back in time 30-35 years to when stores were nice. I'm really impressed.

[@amandaclick3590]

It was so sad to see Sears and K-mart stores close! Gone but not forgotten! I enjoyed the video! Thank you so much! 😀👍

[@chillaxinn]

Well stocked and quite a bit of foot traffic too. Nice to see Boscovs take over a vacant Sears store and turn a 180 with it!

[@diehardfan22]

glad to see that some stores in retail are surviving and doing well

[@davis6123]

Boscovs and Von Maur are the only two department store chains that are extremely successful right now, and are actually expanding. That’s because they do not have to answer to Wall Street, but instead focus on the customer. This results in a nicer, cleaner, more pleasant place to shop.

[@LethaWolfStudios]

Loosing Sears and replacing it with Boscovs is like someone stealing your Ford Pinto and you replacing it with a Cadillac Escalade

[@butterboiii9810]

I wish boscovs would come to New England. Their stores look really nice.

[@jet34thehawk]

Awesome videos

[@gaylenewood7707]

Montgomery ward before they close their store up in keokuk iowa mall several years ago they use to pride themselves to keep that store clean all day long and outside of that store they had someone clean the parking spot in front and back and fixed the roof if need to be and during the xmas season their staff would give kids some candy canes and cup of hot cocoa while they were waiting for Santa they were very cool..

[@WallieB26]

I miss Montgomery Ward. They went out about the same time Ames did. It's hard for me to remember much but they did take care of their stores or at least the ones I went to.

[@f23948]

Nice!!!

[@danieldolle7008]

Boacos is a great store have one store built in a year that goid

[@gott2641]

Did you know that girl with the green hair at around 6:37? Or did she just notice you were filming and try to get out of the way? Just curious! Plus, at 10:26, did anyone else notice how that woman's shirt almost matched the luggage in front of her? Interesting indeed! Anyway, it is truly great to see a video where there is proof that e-commerce has not TRULY killed off retail... just yet anyway! Funny how Sears couldn't thrive here, but a Boscov's in the exact same location seems to be doing well -- *applause* great job Eddie! 🤗

[@martz1191]

Living in NJ, I frequent Boscov's. It's the only department store that doesn't have sticker shock pricing.

[@leatherman88ch]

Boscov's is one of the few companies left in America there still family run and still making a profit as a brick-and-mortar department store I miss that department store a lot and everyone needs to go there just to experience it

[@leatherman88ch]

I will say this I am a frequent visitor of their Facebook page and congratulated them on many store openings one response I got one time they want to be very slow and very careful so they don't over expand like they did early on in the 2000s and almost fell apart but that's my opinion too from the Facebook page

[@jeanesposito4611]

Looks like a great store!

[@carsonthorpe6696]

I hope something comes into the soon to be former Sears space at the mall near me-talks about and Nordstrom and Stein Mart, hope its true

[@noahvoris3637]

This is a store I want in my area!!!! Boscovs is a store that does it right. Too bad these are only in the northeast.

[@crystalscan2002]

it looks like they kepted the main strucure of sears just heavy update

[@WallieB26]

Yeah, what they did was tear out the floors and put new flooring down, new walls, paint, etc. Nothing major other than some small cosmetic changes to the exterior of the building. Still looks much better.

[@jqueen1380]

Sears originally was in downtown Erie before it relocated when the Millcreek Mall was built. It was previously near/behind the Warner Theater. A baseball stadium was built in its former location.

[@WallieB26]

I remember seeing a post about that! That was back when Sears was a smaller type store before blossoming into a big department store.

[@henriquesousa7]

We need these to take over former Sears stores on the west coast!!!

[@WallieB26]

I imagine they would do well. They do very well up here.

[@trentpettit6336]

Not sure but I suspect the current Boscov’s at Concord Mall in Wilmington, DE is a former JCPenney store. Also I suspect the Boscov’s in Newark, DE (this Boscov’s is near Christiana Mall but not in it) might be a former Montgomery Ward store.

[@tributecentral22]

They should come take over the abandoned Sear's space in Lafayette, LA. I think they would do great in that mall space.

[@brycmtthw]

Fleetwood Mac playing in the first part of the video. 👍

[@matthewcook4256]

They have 2 trains a blue one and a maroon one

[@Arcticwolf689]

What a nice store I really appreciate the video at lest it is getting used again in plus they didn’t do anything with the Sears by keeping up with the store

[@jqueen1380]

Nice store! Definitely will check it out next time I’m in the area or come across a Boscov’s.

[@matthewcampbell7985]

Happy 1st birthday boscov's Erie,pa 2 years after Sears Erie closing its doors.

[@matthewcook4256]

At waldameer they have a train called the L RUTH EXPRESS that goes around the whole park

[@WallieB26]

I've been there many times! Good times! Love that park!

[@matthewcook4256]

@@WallieB26 and in 2017 the boscovs elevator was modernized

[@ErinR124]

I worked in management for Boscovs for over 8+yr until I had to leave because of medical reasons 4 yrs ago. It depends on what store you work for if the upper management of that store is good ( just like all places there is definitely the bad seeds) BUT Mr. Boscovs God rest in peace was an amazing man to work for. He is what made you want to stay there and work for him (under some not so good upper store management at times.) He cared about each and every one of his employees. He would come into ALL of his stores and work the floors with his workers and talk to customers. He would also get to know every employee from each of the stores and yes he would remember names, faces, and even about your life. He would also ask what is improving and what isn't. He received your honest opinions and took each on into consideration. The only issue I had was towards the end of my stay with Boscovs and it was after Albert took at back seat due to health, they started making the employees work Thanksgiving day. For the company being known for their "family oriented company" they hopped on the money train and started making there employees work Thanksgiving day then come back super early the next day for Black Friday. And honestly that was the only bad thing I could say about corporate... They got greedy instead of staying to it's family values for their employees when it came to Thanksgiving. Mr. Boscovs was an amazing man. His nephew took over for him and I was there for the beginnings of his takeover and I know Albert really worked with him and he seemed to have the same passion Albert had, unlike the other family who he handed it off to the first time that lead them down the bankruptcy road, BUT Albert came back and brought them out of it and made sure the next person he entrusted with his company actually cared and had his same passions and goal. Boscovs is an okay place to work, but only because Albert cared and made his employees feel valued, even if the ppl in charge of the particular stores didn't. And yes every Boscovs store is super busy even their lower income stores in very rural areas. He was very smart in picking his locations

[@WallieB26]

What an heartwarming story. I have heard nothing but great things about Albert. Not many companies have a "boss", you could say, actually care about each and every associate. And yes, I can completely relate to what you mean about particular stores and their management and how it can affect how nice of a work environment it is. When I worked at Target, our original store manager was your friend and cared about ya just like your best friend, parents, etc do. When he left and the new store manager came in, it went downhill as she was two-faced and favored some people over others. Changed the work environment but didnt make me quit because of the standards I learned by my old store manager and how great he made me feel every shift we worked together. I finally left when Target started getting greedy and told me I would have to come to work at 8PM on Thanksgiving. I refused because I grew up always going to my Aunt and Uncle's house for Thanksgiving and at 8PM, we would be playing games or watching football. It has been tradition and I certainly wasnt going to miss it to slave away at Target while i knew the CEO is celebrating Thanksgiving with their family. So it's a shame Boscov's went that direction. Sadly I dont see them changing that unless more and more retailers make a stink about being open or publicly advertising that they'll be closed on Thanksgiving so employees can enjoy their holiday with their families like some stores have. Either way, Boscov's is still doing things right and I'm glad after the mistake that was made leading them to bankruptcy that they turned it around. Was sad to hear Albert passed due to pancreatic cancer. My nextdoor neighbor did as well and I saw how painful it was not only for him but for his wife.

[@ReallifeBambiDeerattheFarm1]

I remember when Sears was that busy. It was in the 90's.

[@Catmannj1]

Boscovs does it right. My closest one is in e NJ which was the Fortuneoffs. Last time I went two years ago it was busy. Didn't get to notice any neon touches. This Erie store looks awesome and neat and fresh and organized (the Bargain Central especially everything in it's place.) First Richard Wolf gets me craving ice cream. Now you have me craving Boscovs fudge. Oh I would get some and probably eat it before I got home. Sears may be completely gone within two years. My Sears in Jersey City (Newport Mall you and Kayla were there.) is somewhat busy. Is it horrible for me to say I hope that Boscovs moves in there? They would do very well being even closer to NYC and Jersey city and other cities with lots of shoppers. Think Boscovs is now at 50 stores with the one at Providence place Rhode Island now open (guess Heather will film that one soon.) That was a Nordstroms who I heard got kicked out because their rent was jacked up and sales weren't as strong as other Nordstroms. I think like Boscovs Nordstrom only opens 1-2 full line stores a year and a dozen of more off price Nordstrom Rack.

[@unclejj1191]

if you were trying to be sneaky, it didn't work while wearing those flip flops...lol...that tile floor sure amplified your footsteps bigtime..

[@WallieB26]

Oh I know. Lol squeak squeak squeak lol

[@loopba]

still the only place i shop for large purchases or for the old lady

[@steves_retail]

Boscov's should open a location in the former Bon Ton at the McKinley mall

[@aaronhilfiker]

Steven Walters That’s actually a great idea

[@BoratWanksta]

The second I ever step foot into a Boscov's store, I absolutely will buy one of those Did You Boscov Today books! Though I wonder if those are sold online? I should get one of those books myself, if they are also sold online(am guessing they likely are). That comment aside, this store looks SO FANTASTIC inside. This even looks better than a lot of Kohl's stores, and of course their stores blow away JCPenney. I'm glad they are one of the last family owned retailers, still hanging on. If you ever get a chance(granted they haven't expanded into a lot of the northeast, except for one mall near Rochester, NY), I think you'd enjoy Von Maur a lot.

[@lifewithtodd7870]

I don’t remember if u did or didn’t go to Susquehanna Valley Mall but if u didn’t you should it’s getting some new things

[@jst7714]

How did they get to sell Kenmore? 4:58 I know they now sell on Amazon but it was a (ironically) Sears exclusive...

[@itrack4u]

So clean and shiny. I didn't notice their usual chandeliers.

[@WallieB26]

The newer stores dont have them unfortunately. You have to go to the older stores. More particularly, the locations that still have the older green logo. They have been starting to renovate some stores too. Hopefully they dont get rid of them. I'll be going to a Boscov's soon that will blow the rest of the stores out of the water. Believe me when I say this location I'm not mentioning is incredible.

[@Braydensceilingfansstores]

Poor Sears though😥

[@METALMAN4Wii]

So its like a JC Penny but with a Candy Counter.

[@mattmoore2670]

Wallie yours and nates videos bring me much joy. A lot of the places you visit unfortunately are not in Michigan but love to see them and hopefully one day will visit a few. Your knowledge of retail is vast and I myself am a retail guy. One last thing I’m also a Kmart guy as well.

[@WallieB26]

Thank you so much for the kind words. It means a lot that our work is enjoyable. Hopefully Boscov's will consider expanding your way. It is a store you will not be disappointed by.

[@mattmoore2670]

WallieB26 would enjoy it very much so

[@news89]

This place looks beautiful. I need to visit the one at the Beaver Valley Mall.

[@tributecentral22]

Love your avatar news89

[@news89]

@@tributecentral22 thank you. It is the former Warren Super K.

[@WallieB26]

The one at Beaver Valley is an older one but still just as nice. It even has the cool chandeliers from the ceiling that the newer stores do not have as well as a tiny bit of neon lighting which new stores dont have.

[@news89]

@@WallieB26 I need to make a trip to Pittsburgh this year.

[@aaronhilfiker]

Reminds me of Kohl’s

[@brandonb.6099]

This is a very nice, up to date store. The problem Sears and kmart both have is that they were outdated stores, which is part of the reason why people stopped shopping at both stores. Thanks for another great video, wallie.

[@WallieB26]

I agree. They looked old and worn out. Plus the higher prices drove a lot of people away. It's amazing what cosmetic upgrades/renovations can do. The one Kmart I visited in NYC was incredible. Didnt feel like Kmart at all.

[@markglatfelter138]

It's good for the mall also that it didn't lose another store

[@WallieB26]

Only big vacancy at the mall is the Bon Ton. The mall does very well.

[@Hail2th3k1n6]

I hope they make it to the south one of these years 🤞

[@Titanic19127]

Love Boscov’s

[@nikkireeexplores407]

Awesome Wallie!

[@WallieB26]

Thank you!

[@racheldehaan1331]

Cool I’ve never been

[@JasonPlays22]

Nice video! Was looking forward to this update

[@WallieB26]

Sorry it took me over a year. Lol

[@lela3926]

I kind of want Wallie to cover the Forever 21 thing... But... would he???

[@gradymcclintock3766]

I'm sure he will cover anything

[@WallieB26]

It's possible. They're just so small I'm not sure if I'd be able to put a decent enough video together unless I combined a couple locations together in one video.

[@lela3926]

@@WallieB26 Wallie, maybe you can do a little compilation of various locations before they close. Supposedly they'll stay open but they'll close many locations. Maybe film them during liquidation and then film their "corpse" after they close

[@FlameDragon]

They should buy out Kmart keep the name but renovate their stores. Save the company from that crook Eddie

[@Justin-Hill-1987]

Or maybe they could get Meijer to buy some Kmart, former Magic Mart and former ShopKo locations, so the people at Meijer could revive their discount store nameplate, Meijer Square.

[@leatherman88ch]

the movie mannequin the second department store the Rival department store is a Boscov's

[@ZeeMann_Retail]

Always great videos man! Wish Boscov's would come to SC and NC. Seems like a great company. Would love to shop there one day!

[@WallieB26]

You would not be disappointed. Their prices are very reasonable for a mall department store. Very very reasonable. While we were there, I was in need of a new beach umbrella as we were going to Presque Isle State Park after the store to hang out on the beach. Found a beach umbrella on sale for $6.99. It was originally $15!

[@ZeeMann_Retail]

@@WallieB26 sounds awesome! Wish Sears and Kmart could be that reasonable. But with Eddie Dumpert heading things, I don't see that happening.

[@Shwalker07]

4:07 If you ever do a giveaway Wallie, include these please :)

[@joshhunyady6819]

Good video 👌 like always

[@WallieB26]

Thank you!

[@joshhunyady6819]

@@WallieB26 your welcome. And just so you know. If you are ever in the blairsville pa area we got a closed down gc Murphy's two closed schools and a closed pnc bank.and many More.

[@exploringretail2772]

I filmed this too

[@WallieB26]

I saw that! You happened to film the place around the same time I did. Lol

[@garbage854]

Nice 😀

[@WallieB26]

Thank you!

[@garbage854]

@@WallieB26 😀

[@barrywilliams5232]

Hey #WallieB26 , I know you have fondness for old Hills/Ames stores. If your ever up near Toledo during your travels, there is an old store on Reynolds Rd. / Conant St. that has been operated as Maumee Antique Mall ever since Ames shut down. Just letting you know because the restaurant still in operation in the Hills red colors. Just no logos.....

[@barrywilliams5232]

..and the doors are the old folding automatic style also

[@WallieB26]

That's great to know! I love antique stores so this is right up my alley and in an old Hills store nevertheless!

[@mr.fixit2181]

Hey buddy how u been

[@WallieB26]

Been doing well. Just chugging along at work, bowling, and trying to enjoy my off time when I'm not doing those things or exploring. How about you?

[@mr.fixit2181]

@@WallieB26 well , I've had 3 days off in a row and dont know what to do so I decided to hook up the wiring in my shed and somehow blew up a gfci white to white black to black and boom, yah that was fun, and working on electronics and cars that's about it. Good to hear from you :)

[@curtg7396]

Here’s a shining example of how incompetent Lampert is.Boscov’s comes in to the same location as Sears,selling virtually the same items and is successful where Sears could no longer survive.Sears and Kmart’s terrible leadership led to their demise.

[@racheldehaan1331]

Have you got flip flops on again lol

[@WallieB26]

Yes..... I did. Lol squeak squeak squeak

[@markfromkona8816]

👍

[@ZachArmstrong02]

All Eddie did was run Sears and Kmart into the ground and take the money for himself

[@TheGearShots]

I just realized I have never purchased anything from a Boscovs in my entire life. I think my parents bought me some school clothes from the one at the Beaver Valley Mall but I’ve never spent my own money at one.

[@coffeenow2382]

You're not missing much, they carry the same labels found at Kohl's at basically the same price, ho hum😪😪😪

[@WallieB26]

I actually find their prices to be cheaper than that of Kohls. I shop at both and have seen some pretty big differences in prices depending on what you're looking for.

[@Prnencetti]

Yeah it’s hard to believe that that place was once a Sears but now it is a boss gobs. The only new things that that store got her the furniture upstairs because I don’t think Sears ever had furniture they had appliances like lawnmowers and TVs but I don’t think they had furniture and the new candy counter that’s brand new sears never sold candy. If you ask me department stores are dying Boscov’s doing pretty well for themselves but you never know look at Kmart they were doing pretty good for them selves and now boom gone no more Kmart Sears they disappeared to Macy’s and they’re disappearing. So only a matter of time before Bas cobs go down just like everybody else did but they still look like a good store right now you can’t stop the Internet it’s just gonna keep on coming and coming and coming and that’s going to be it what are video killed the radio star will Internet killed shopping

[@blueinternet4336]

This what sears look like because fartfort

[@WallieB26]

Agreed. They, for the most part, looked very nice. My Ross Township location did. Then he took over and it steadily declined.

[@blueinternet4336]

@@WallieB26 my childhood sears is now in Liquidation. Hurst TX. The one near my house at Ridgemar closing last year they only one left is hulen and in Arlington.

[@cheaplaughkennedy2318]

Wallie you seemed to get mostly girl and woman shots , better not let your lady friend see this 😂

[@WallieB26]

LOL I had no control over that! There were a LOT more ladies shopping than men in Boscov's. Lol