Sears At Metrocenter Mall | More Sears Closures & News! | Retail Archaeology

The Sears at Metrocenter Mall in Phoenix, AZ is closing. We check out the liquidation sale, document the building, and talk about the latest Sears news.
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[@RetailArchaeology]

Do you have any memories of shopping at Sears at Metrocenter Mall? Also, Retail Archaeology and Rotting Acres Mall apparel and merchandise is now available: teespring.com/stores/retail-archaeology

[@AtoZRetail]

Retail Archaeology I used to go to metro more when I was young when JCPenny was still there. I did pop in sears a few times but never bought anything until a couple weeks ago when I got a pair of jeans at 40% off due to the liquidation sale. I’ll be going back a few times to document the process and possibly buy more stuff.

[@904czv4]

Retail Archaeology I kinda miss the watch repair kiosks they used to have. I always had my batteries changed or watch straps adjusted with them.

[@kaityk4788]

I used to go to Metro Center all the time and would ALWAYS Park next to the Sears and enter near the delivery ramp in back. When I was little, the major corners had these big fountains that were flat surfaces of black stone with holes. Around them were flat black river rocks. One the quarter hours, the fountains would launch, almost touching round skylight ceilings. You could hear the “thump” as the pressure was built to launch the water and since it was hitting the stone it smelled of petrichor. My parents and I would sit downstairs by the Cinnabon and just watch for long periods of time. As time went by, I noticed that they just turned them off and covered them, must have cost too much to operate. They were a big deal when they opened.

[@shammydammy2610]

Metrocenter is the first mall I remember ever going to... We used to live in the UK before there were a lot of malls there, then my dad was transferred back to the States (Luke AFB) and my Mom took me to Metrocenter. I was amazed by it.

[@Grim-oc9fw]

Cover the Store closing in Massachusetts it's been there since 1960

[@saturnotaku]

I don't have a ton of memories of shopping at Sears, but my grandma worked for them for many years. The company treated her well, and one of the perks she got was the ability to keep her employee discount basically until she dies. She's 95 years old and continues to use it.

[@Salvaging-in-Az]

Even “Family Guy” predicted the end of Sears. I’m sure you have seen the episode where Peter and Lois go to Sears in the mall, and saw that it had turned into a post apocalyptic wasteland with “mad max” style vehicles roaming the desolate plains. 😀

[@captainrackham2004]

Man I LOVE how thorough you are, just walking around, giving the history that you found out about a company or mall/ the location, your own memories -- I absolutely love just looking at everything, the pacing is perfect, you look at everything, this is all a vanishing thing, you're capturing it before it all goes away, I just really enjoy this!

[@HardChuck365]

Sears was for middle class people. No more middle class no more Sears.

[@JokerL1000]

Maryland Man Good observation

[@dra.gladysmontalvo8033]

Maryland Man wkskkdkyisi🍅😊😳😣😒😍😂😝😝😳😤😊😛🍆🌽🌽😗🍆🍆😖😡😈😈😂👿😁🌽

[@TotosSword]

that means I don’t exist.

[@Saul_Soto82]

@@dra.gladysmontalvo8033 epic argument

[@WhittyPics]

Sears is on borrowed time. When Lambert is done stripping the company it will be gone. The only Sears left here is putting their mowers and appliances out in boxes. Very tacky.

[@ccateni28]

By then, lamjerk will be bankrupt as there's nothing to gain and the investors will go up his ass for funds.

[@christinacope562]

ccateni 28 no, he has a great plan for his Ayn Rand loving ass.

[@ccateni28]

Christina Cope not really, other investors are a part of Sears, so he's screwed once the lawsuits start coming.

[@christinacope562]

ccateni 28 we can hope. At least I do that there could be some justice left. It won't help the employees though which is sad.

[@davis6123]

Sears is in full liquidation mode. They just don’t want to scare investors, but they can’t keep operating all of these unprofitable stores.

[@EmergencyChannel]

Sears only has 500+ locations left, how many are profitable? 50?

[@BELCAN57]

This is the softest going out of business that I've ever seen. Sears has under 400 stores left in the United States. I'd be willing to bet that they're gone before 2019.

[@laje]

i worked there from early 97 to the end of 98. i worked on the remodel that included opening the 3rd level. its been 20 years, so its tough to remember, but i do know there was a tux rental store by the miracle ear and optical. we rented my husband's tux for our wedding in 98 from there. can't forget that! this place holds a special place in my heart and i am crushed that it is closing. and funny you mentioned the signs, because i used to print my department's signs in the office and it is a big hassle. they did not make it easy. so it does not surprise me. just means that corporate is no longer transmitting the needed signs to the stores. less work for everyone. plus, you needed specific paper for each type of sign. so writing them solves that problem too. thanks for documenting my crumbling childhood and teen years. ;)

[@AnonyMatt0]

I remember having a dentist appointment at Sears.

[@deadbolt8706]

I got my dental and eyeglasses done here as a kid all the time. As a young adult I would get tires there. Weird to see the place like this.

[@ctrl50]

Everytime you post a video on metrocenter a piece of my childhood dies. Spent many, many long days playing inside the mall in the 90s. Such a sad thing to see this mall on its last leg. Love the videos though!

[@rwdplz1]

You might be able to purchase those lights when they liquidate fixtures towards the end. Mount them to your garage!

[@EmergencyChannel]

Stealing them wouldn’t be too hard.

[@chetpomeroy1399]

I remember when W.T. Grant & Co. went into liquidation in 1976, either they sold their light fixtures or they had a third party do that.

[@boopro12]

If they demo the building they will, they have a 3rd party come in and literally gut the whole building and sell off all that stuff, like toilets sinks, lights, etc.

[@Gunter909]

You can get down to the basement by going to either of the two elevators on the side. Press the button behind the piece of paper for the basement level. Their primitive out dated elevator equipment does not allow for floor locking. But you didn't hear it from me ;-)

[@ReshiramR52]

I'll never get tired of watching your videos. The vaporwave makes them more relaxing

[@904czv4]

A lot of thought went into the building during construction. Sad that it’s probably going to get torn down.

[@christinacope562]

No trace of one that my dad worked at.

[@shayneramsay1388]

Its sad seeing these iconic brands going under, Sears, Toys R Us, Kmart, Montgomery Ward etc

[@FurEngel]

This is what happens when a country outsources everything to China. You end up with stores that have 95% china made goods that no one wants.

[@itrthho]

And financial engineering...lampert's raid on Kmart/Sears real estate, Private equity on Toys R US.

[@NZotyoka81]

Macy’s, Target,Best buy will follow them cause amazon.com is killing the traditional stores. Walmart will converting their business into a full webstore. It will affect the whole society cause trading is not all about the goods and profits it’s about the relationship and communication too between the peoples what is makes enjoyable and memorable the shopping to them.

[@animfangirlkag22]

Actually all these companies are going under because everyone shops online now. No one wants to buy in stores anymore because its easier to shop online.

[@lookup2705]

wake-up the elite is going underground they getting ready for the storm coming the end is near

[@SeanStrife]

Can we go ahead and call it now? Sears dies before the end of the year.

[@LinxFox]

Already dead here in Canada, i knew it was going bad when they closed their flagship store in Downtown Toronto.

[@WhittyPics]

They wouldn't have lasted this long if the CEO Eddie Lambert wasn't loaning them money from his hedge fund.

[@cantinadesigns1]

I give it a whole year. Remember this company outlasted ToysRUs, Target Canada, and Radioshack but had financial troubles ling before. Sad and old American company is going under but from the ashes one company more will come.

[@brainlikesieve]

Sears is that aging celebrity that for some reason people would rather see in extreme pain with an inoperable condition than let die peacefully. I have been to my Sears and they have old old merhcandise, empty aisles, and high prices. The one by me has old VGA and serial cables. They seem to have a large amount of staff despite the empty aisles. I give it a year.

[@josephtafur]

Yep just like Montgomery Ward

[@Larry]

The store lasted nearly half a decade, that's a pretty good run in hindsight. Have you ever managed to buy any fixtures from these closing stores? I got two giant exit/welcome signs from my local Toys R Us a few weeks ago.

[@RetailArchaeology]

Larry Bundy Jr yes actually 🙂 I bought a hand basket from my local Toys R Us that has Geoffrey the giraffe on it. I also grabbed a chair from my Toys R Us. It's in the garage because it needs a little cleaning.

[@ccateni28]

Larry Bundy Jr Luck, I got a display for a skylanders knock off by tomy, and a couple of minor signs. Tried to get the R, but no luck.

[@samtron5000]

Larry Bundy Jr what are you doing here!!! Lmao

[@natebartlett1073]

Well done video I am currently a Sears employee in Utah of all places. But I did want to give clarification on the hand written signs. They are for massive summer promotions only the plan is to go back to printed in the fall. But the Sears in Jordan Landing Utah is doing great. Last year before all the remaining sears stores closed in Utah our sales were up 15%. I think a lot of the stores are poorly managed because at one point our store was one of the worst in the nation and we are finally seeing profits return because of new management about two years ago.

[@EmergencyChannel]

Sales being up 15% isn’t that impressive when your total sales are not even 1/3 of Walmart or your other competitors.

[@natebartlett1073]

True but when you so consider the chances for failed being higher you think we would have closed by now. I’m not trying to be be rude but you can not say that is not good because Walmart even has its share of less profitable stores that it has closed. I’m just saying with a store that is efficiently ran you have a shot where you wouldn’t have other wise. I love the company I work and I hope you can understand that.

[@itrthho]

Wishing you luck, Nate. Hope your store can hold out.

[@benrippel3993]

It helps that y'all spent some local marketing budget too - I work with a local radio group there and we ran some advertisements for the grand re-opening of Jordan Landing (and later Ogden, which I think is still open too?).

[@natebartlett1073]

I hope so too. The Ogden Store just finished its liquidation and it is official Sears Jordan Landing is the last sears store in Utah, with the exception of a K-Mart in St George Utah.

[@as6110]

Actual question about Sears closures. When there is an Auto Center, have you ever heard of the Auto Center outliving the Sears it was affiliated with? Our Sears here closed 4/8/18. The Auto Center is STILL OPEN. There are about a half dozen signs on it.

[@itrthho]

Sears likely owns the real estate the open Auto centers occupy. Lampert, I believe, is either trying to spin the Auto Centers off for cash or is keeping them alive to be used a collateral for all the loans his hedge fund is providing in keeping Sears Holding operating.

[@michaelphillis5381]

Yea the one in Robinson mall Pennsylvania is closing but the auto center is staying open

[@railroadskater2896]

Vineland NJ too.

[@lynpharr]

Auto centers are affiliated but not owned by sears. Which is why many are open but the store isn't.

[@monatoney3474]

I worked at Sears in South County St. Louis MO for 4 yrs in tools. thank God I got out with a wonderful job. but I feel for my Sears family😫😫😫😫😫

[@stphinkle]

Actually there are usually five companies that seem to do most of the retail liquidation sales from what I have seen: Hilco Merchant Resources, Gordon Brothers Group, Hudson Capital, Great American Group, and Tiger Capital. This might explain why the liquidation sale signs put up are mostly the same between retailers.

[@Austin.D]

Sears was like the Walmart of the day

[@jonathan_m_racing]

I predict that Sears will go bankrupt in 2019.

[@as6110]

Jonathan M. If Sears Holdings still exists by the end of 2019, I will be SHOCKED.

[@BoratWanksta]

Who knows what'll happen to them. Yes if they were any other retailer, they would've went bankrupt years ago. The fact they lease off a lot of their real estate that their stores used to operate on, is probably one of the only reasons that company barely hangs on. As one youtuber put it(Doomie Grunt), they are 'the world's slowest liquidation sale' for a good reason. :)

[@itrthho]

I'll agree Lampert can't keep it going after 1st quarter 2019. If he pulls a rabbit out of his arse and monetizes all the remaining RE, than he may push it to the 1st of 2020.

[@Dreams-uu5uj]

Me to0.

[@christinacope562]

Jonathan M. But Eddie will be more wealthy than he was before he became CEO of Sears holding, He designed this. Makes me ill that he has already sold off , ruined what was good at the store to make nobody shop there.

[@josephtafur]

And today i went to the Sears at Stonebryer centre in Frisco, Texas. They had a Sears Driving School

[@tnbspotter5360]

Sears, Penny's, and those type of stores are stuck on an old business model. Customers can find out what they should be paying now, and the old markup style of retail will die with the old people that are unable to research for themselves.

[@sportsgames2713]

Tnb Spotter it's JCPenney.

[@sportsgames2713]

Tnb Spotter JCPenney not Penney's. It is under the same company but there are very little Penney's stores.

[@MS-ow8mq]

you have a great voice

[@MaxRoc21]

M S he can read me a bed time story

[@GCJACK83]

Fun fact: The current CEO of Sears/K-Mart owns the firm running all these liquidations, and he makes more cash from the liquidations than he gets running Sears/K-Mart.

[@React2Quick]

HerpyDerpyDoo11 wait Eddie Lampert is the one who owns the firms who do the liquidations?

[@GCJACK83]

LordIron Yep. He owns the liquidation firm, makes more money off the liquidations than he does keeping Sears and K-Mart locations open. He then profits a third time when he sells the buildings.

[@blogshagify]

LordIron , Yep. He owns the real estate leasing firm, too. Its all a scam. He is purposely spinning Sears out of business slowly

[@mrtempleton5302]

So odd, I didn't miss Kmart or Sears...until they left my area, now I miss it a little. At least the way it used to be. Thanks for the videos!

[@dfgvegas]

Thanks for another great share. I kind of get lost in reminiscing watching your videos and it is very sad it's almost like seeing old friends slowly pass away of a painful death. Thanks again have a good one.

[@lcdmonitor1981]

Sears unfortunately just couldn't stay relevant, lots of memories being dragged there as a kid. I will say in their heyday craftsman tools were pretty legit. Lifetime warranty and american made, still have several of socket sets and ratchets from the 80s, man times have changes

[@davinp]

Sears has not closed the one at dead/closed Landmark Mall in Alexandria, VA. It's the only anchor left after Macy's closed last year

[@greenmetalbox1719]

Breaks my heart to see Sears slowly atrophy away to nothing. Great video. Thankful my Sears isn't on the list (yet) and I try to shop there once a month.

[@patsflysfan2]

The Sears in Wyomissing, PA and the Kmart in Shillington, PA will stay open. It seems like those two stores are impervious to the closings.

[@ThresholdDreamer111]

patsflysfan2 Good! That Sears court at Berkshire Mall in Wyomissing is just gorgeous with the bridge over the water fountain feature. I absolutely love that mall. So sad Bon Ton will be gone soon.

[@fazdoll]

There's a dying Kmart near me. I hoping it shows up on the list of closures. Wal-Mart has shown interest in the same area and maybe they could take over the Kmart building. I guess the zoning would be the same and it would be really environmentally friendly to simply reuse the Kmart than to tear it down.

[@wendypierce5621]

I’m staggered by how long Sears has stayed on life support, I know they were trying to sell some smaller town real estate earlier this year.

[@ericpurkey7502]

No Sears beyond 2021.

[@dennismanbook]

I remember the Sears at Merle Hay Mall in Des Moines IA once had an cafeteria up to about mid 1970s when I was little. Not sure if all of them had the cafeterias back in the day. I think there was a burger called the Searsburger they carried that cafeteria. I believe that location and the mall opened in 1959.

[@amanacatandhisdog8836]

dennismanbook I remember there was a cafe or sorts at a Kmart that operated when I was a teen about 25 -30 years ago.

[@JokerL1000]

Do you remember how the food was. Was it good.

[@dennismanbook]

JokerL1000 that would of been before the mid 70s when Sears had their cafes and it was good .

[@davinp]

As of May 2018, there are less then 400 Kmarts left in the United States

[@chargermaster586]

Davin Peterson Damn? You for real one of my friend's just started working at Kmart today and I told him you better pray they don't close it yet we just graduated Highschool and target is hiring across the street out of all places why would you work For Kmart Sears Holdings when someone can just walk in and say this store is closing maybe since he didn't want to be in a more busy place.

[@React2Quick]

Davin Peterson I'm surprised there's even still that many.

[@BoratWanksta]

I recall the last time I saw a count for the number of Sears and Kmarts left, that it was less than 900 stores overall left. I think it's about 870-880 stores, IIRC. Can't believe they keep managing to barely hang on, myself. And as one person appropriately described how Sears somehow hangs on but is declining, as Doomie Grunt appropriately described Sears Holdings as 'the world's slowest liquidation sale'. I totally agree with that description! And I have no doubt if it was any other retailer, that they would've filed for bankruptcy years ago.

[@davinp]

That number was listed on Kmart's Wikipedia page. Afte the current round of closings, it will be down to around 300 Kmarts. I'm suprised Sears Holdings hasn't gone bankrupt yet

[@joepena5771]

It's brutalist architecture and the whole mall was designed in that fashion. Overbearing, heavy roof tops and forms. Most forms of that style were linear but Metrocenter added a lot of curved components but maintained large, overbearing forms and exposed concrete. I can't remember if Sears always had their part of the mall exterior painted or not.

[@azmrblack]

Keep in mind alot of those buildings used a lot of concrete and such because Civil Defense and the Cold War was still well around in 1972-73 when the mall was built. Large buildings like a mall would be used as a shelter center incase of fallout.

[@jamesmcmahan1236]

Spectacular music choice man! So good, and fitting! This is such a neat Sears, sad it has to go! Some great footage you got!

[@crowmigration8245]

"The half drank drink" XD

[@cardfrek]

You should stop at Fashion Outlets in Primm, Nevada. There were alot more store closures there now, than on my last visit in Oct, 2017.

[@mdavid1955]

We still have a Sears here. (Baton Rouge La.) I wonder how much longer it will last. The demise of American retail icons continues. :-(

[@stphinkle]

Some of that old Christmas merchandise could have been in the back room but it could also have been outside merchandise that the liquidation company brought in that was left over from a previous liquidation sale.

[@megacide84]

Believe it or not. Even as far back as 2006. I can remember demoralized long time Sears employees talking about how bad the merger with Kmart was. Even back then, they called out the fact that Eddie Lampert would eventually gut the company and sell the real estate from under those stores. However... Now with online shopping and big box stores cornering what's left of brick and mortar retail. I really don't see any use for all that extra empty retail spaces. Can we say commercial property crash soon???

[@jsnsk101]

If Retail Archeology won the lottery would he buy an old mall and fit it out as a museum with all the long lost store chains set up again?

[@itrthho]

would make a great movie set/tv set for production.

[@thomashouse6090]

The Sears here at Lakeline Mall here in Austin is closing too. I think that might leave one or two in this area

[@chenlee9835]

Even back in the 90's my local Sears store was dead. I had a Sears charge card and had used it to buy a belt. A few years later, I got a pair of glasses from their optometry department and tried to use my Sears charge card and was told that the card was declined because Sears had cancelled my card because I hadn't used the card in years. The last time I visited my local Sears was back in 2015 during Christmas and the store still looked like it was back in the 1990's and there were very few people in the store. Still surprises me that Sears is holding out longer than Toys R Us.

[@ericfresh]

I love how they pretend they are not going to close them all. Eddies basically smothering Sears with a pillow. An escalator can never break: it can only become stairs. -Mitch Hedberg

[@jamescabral3108]

I am surprised this store is in good condition many of them including my old one in Hyannis, MA Sears neglected to take care of it we had roof leaks, damaged merchandise, old carpets, holes in the wall. Employee theft was a bad problem as well our old Operations Manager used to come in and do overnights and was caught stealing over $ 70,000 of merchandise. Also employees use to vandalism our equipment, I remember our Manager of electronics chucked a nail at a HDTV and there was a hole in it and later for some unknown reason tried sitting on one of the TV Shelves causing them to break. Samsung Cooperate came in and they were not happy and fined the store for it.

[@friskdotjpeg]

Honestly I’m very glad you documented this. This place was a big part of my childhood and I’m bummed I’ll never be able to go into that Sears ever again.

[@bradfulton616]

Grew up going to this sears. Now maybe somebody can confirm this but I always heard in the very early 80s a kid fell from the top floor escalator area down to the jewelry cases? Must have been 1983. Metro center also had this awesome “alley” called “The Alley” with boardwalk fries and a post office-it was styled after a tiny big city aka NYC street with bricks etc. I went back last year and it’s been walled off.

[@deadbolt8706]

I heard the same rumour, except the kid fell from the food court down into that incredible arcade that was below the food court. It was shortly after that they closed the arcade and sealed it up for extra seating space for diners. Yeah I totally remember the Alley too. I used to love to walk through there cuz it was like a little piece of NYC. I think it had a tattoo parlor too. :)

[@bradfulton616]

deadbolt8706 that’s a modern rumor then. The arcade came in very late. It was an ice skating rink until maybe 1990. The Sears death story was maybe from 1983 and every parent talked about it on the escalators going up in there. I wonder if it’s true.

[@InfinityMW2]

Used to go shopping at Sears Grand when I was a kid :P

[@InfinityPets]

The Sears at Punete Hills mall (aka Twin Pines Mall) is closing too.

[@jamesk5364]

The Sears Store at Sothridge Mall in Milwaukee Wi. Closed about a year ago it was a 2 level store. 1 floor they are making into a bowling alley. And the other floor is going to be a laser tag and roller rink.

[@BoratWanksta]

Interesting to hear what the Southridge Sears will be converted into. Is both the bowling alley and laser tag/roller rink going to be the same operator? Nice to hear that news, since it makes me glad roller rinks aren't all extinct. Ditto with bowling alleys. Hope that goes successfully, for this mall. Also recall hearing rumors that Kohl's was going to move out of this mall to another space outside this mall, which makes me a tad nervous about its future. Hope Southridge continues to do well, as a mall.

[@jamesk5364]

BoratWanksta..I don't believe so. It was on the local news about 3 months ago

[@chetpomeroy1399]

Metrocenter was a really neat place when it first opened up in 1973-74, and it was *way, way up north* on Dunlap (Olive) Avenue!! It was a great place to come out of the summer heat and have a nice, cold soda!! The exterior architecture of that Sears-Roebuck store is indeed 1970's original! Forty-four years is a nice, long run for a retailer.

[@farrahmccraney6680]

Thanks for posting this. I started working for Sears over 20+ years ago at a small store in CA. I worked in several other locations and left the company about the time Mr Lambert came on board. Many of my good friends still work there and it hurts to see this.

[@DANGMQ]

Sears is still around in Dallas/Fort Worth as there are six of them left remaining. The closest one from my house is in Grapevine Mills Mall, a mall that is far from dead and actually has three Auntie Anne's Pretzels, two more than Rotting Acres Mall. I don't know how the Sears at Grapevine Mills is doing but the mall itself is thriving, as I went there a few weeks ago on a Saturday. A lot of people and barely a place to park.

[@React2Quick]

DANGMQ there's one in the mall in Denton. But that is one of them that is on the closing list. Tbh that mall never got much business anyway. the mall in Hurst which is the Northeast Mall has one but I dont think it's closing anytime soon.

[@BollingHolt]

You're spot on about the exterior of that building being unique and beautiful. It will be sad if they demolish it, especially given that it looks to be in great shape. Such a waste...

[@Rick_Foley]

Just like an estate sale with original packaging.

[@guitarboyjeff]

Man I grew up like 10 mins away from there and that was the flagship mall to go to back in like the early 2000's!!! I when the industrial opened and then when they expanded it to have a skate park!!! That was the place to be on weekends!!!! 😞 Memories!

[@spectroman71]

Thanks for calling out the exterior features on this one. I really liked it too - so very 1974, but in a good way. Going to miss it.

[@MacGuffinExMachina]

Our Sears in Hammond LA is on its last legs. First of all, when the mall was demolished and an outdoor shopping area took its place, Dillard's and Sears were untouched. I hate it. You can tell they were built in the 70's whereas everything else is from the aughts. Dillard's is okay, but I went to the Sears for the first time in ages, the age of the store really showed. It smelled a little like old people. The place felt so warm. We were the only ones in there for a good bit aside from workers. It was eerie. Some of the walls looked cracked. The ceiling was stained in some areas. It was all around bad.

[@neftv1]

Glad your able to document these legendary stores.. Seems like box stores are dropping like flies.

[@RomysRetro]

I worked in this store for 10 years. Left in 2014. Very sad to see it go. I had a final walk-through just before liquidation. At the beginning of your video, the area with the glass door to the right of the hair salon was a dentist office. Still has all the old chairs and fixtures inside there. It has another opening in the back that is near employee restrooms. The door with the sign across from that is what we affectionately referred to as "The Big Room". It was constructed in about 2007 to cut off some of the massive salesfloor because we just didn't have product to support that space. Used to be intimates and Women's plus with a fitting room and several small stockroom areas. They broke it up into a conference room and a huge stockroom. There was a cashwrap in the center of it that they then moved to it's current location closer to shoes. On the middle level, the area that is now tools, sporting goods and lawn and garden was children's clothing, as well as the bedding department was also kids. In the concession hall, there was a Mr.Formal tuxedo rental to the left, then the watch and jewelry repair, and the miracle ear that closed in 2014. To the right, that was all the portrait studio. What is mattresses and appliances now was home fashions, bedding and decor. Drapery department, and at one time custom draperies. Men's is pretty much in the same place. Kids moved upstairs taking up what was women's plus. The basement was all hardlines - electronics to the front off the escalator, appliances on either side of the escalator, sporting goods, tools and lawn and garden along the rest of the back side, where you were able to enter the loading dock and the freight elevator that would take goods to merchandise pick up. It was a beautiful store when I started there, and even then had seen many changes. Apparently in the basement level there was once a cafeteria that was between sporting goods and electronics. Bits and pieces of what remained could be seen in stockroom areas offstage. Offices were once located down there also and were painted in the typical colors of the day, browns and golds with splashes of pink. The outside of the building was reminiscent of Metrocenter's original "space age" design - the only anchor store to follow suit with the original interior design of the mall. The mall itself used to be much more rounded and the side railings from the upper to lower levels resembled space cars or ships. . . Hence the rounded facade of Sears and the 70's bulbous glass ball lights. I loved the building like a second home. And I am glad that you see the charm in the architecture like I always did. Will be sad to see it go. It was a very happy place.

[@JDSWeather]

Sears has closed in Bangor, Maine at The Bangor Mall

[@williamknight6227]

I remeber the sears auto where it was like a pep boys. Mine closed I think in the early 2000's

[@KoubuPilot]

The basement opened up in the late 90s. I worked with a lady who was part of the crew that installed the escalators. You'll still find a parts and service location on Baseline west of Stapley, for now.

[@offrails]

My local Sears (or "SEAR" as the current sign at the mall entrance says, as the second S burned out) is expected to close completely this weekend. It opened at its current location around 1978 and its closure was announced back in April. They have most of the store cleared out. It's a smaller store - all on one level, but until the closing announcement it also had an optical center, watch repair, and auto center. It also apparently had a portrait center that closed long ago. One thing that amused me was there were was some very old merchandise for sale, many with older versions of the Sears logo. The mall itself, however, is not quite dead - Dillards is expanding into the old Macy's location, JCPenney is always busy, and Sears itself may become a medical center. Not yet sure about the Toys R Us across the street though. I might also add that last weekend, I nearly bought a new Kenmore refrigerator because of the discount, but was concerned with the future of the brand. I mentioned this to the person checking me out and the fact that Eddie is trying to buy the brand - I think he was also horrified at the thought.

[@prior242]

Next time you're out in Southern California, You should do Orange Mall, another mall on life support with a Sears.

[@jackietatum2245]

I love those retro trash cans outside.. and those old brown chairs when you are walking into the merchandise pick up area! I literally feel like I could be at sears again, with a migraine from the smell of tires

[@misaelmartinez2115]

I worked here from 2002 to 2005... started in merchandise pick up, then the HUB Office, then Electronics Sales and finally HR Associate.

[@donaldingram3811]

Sad to see Sears go out with a whimper.

[@williamknight6227]

i know the sears i went to when I was younger had an h&r block in it.

[@ccateni28]

william knight same here.

[@kevinlogan2306]

Another part of my childhood gone Metro center was the mall to go to from 1973 when it opened till early 2000’s Arrowhead and Arizona mills have taken over as the mega malls

[@ccateni28]

I had an h and r block, photo center, hair salon, and optical center. Only the hair salon and optical center are left.

[@bryantint1339]

Very sad! I do not recall visiting Metro Center Mall while I was living in Phoenix. I usually go to Paradise Valley Mall. Metro Center Mall seems very grand and sophisticated. Thank you for the share. I regret not visiting the place while I was living in Maricopa County from 1982 to 1990.

[@marisam9803]

I love the exterior of that store! VERY 70s. I wish I could grab some of those outdoor light fixtures too when they close!

[@thrillington2008]

The Sears near me (Hampton, Virginia in newmarket fair) is scaling back with most of the products are moving to the first floor. And another location is added to the closures list (Virginia Beach at Pembroke Mall) recently.

[@lesliesanchez8261]

High end items like bod body spray locked away from thieves. Good move sears 😉

[@marisam9803]

Sad to think those are high end!

[@dennis9707]

The body spray is what the boys from the hood go for.

[@Dyaxxis]

0:36 I had to replay over this time sequence twice to ensure what I saw was indeed a "seasonal hiring." Nice catch. In regards to any retail store that does not intend to permanently close, seasonal employment is becoming much more prevalent in retail now... for some "obvious" reasons. When I applied and worked at Sears a couple of times way long ago, it was as simple as walking up to HR, complete application, sit for interview, and choose what dept. and position was available if I decided to accept the offer. Bear in mind, the employment terms of each time was what I refer to as a "de facto permanent" position. Even at that time, there were "temp agency" employees being sourced for employment in certain departments. Many years later, I'm having friendly conversations from young restaurant workers with several accounts of applying to work at several "large" retailers only to be quickly denied or receive no follow up from the HR department. Some likewise accounts are also in regards to seasonal positions as well. I observed this in a couple of cities in the western US but I'm curious if this phenomena is in many more parts of the country itself.

[@Dyaxxis]

One thing I should mention is... there was a very small, yet significant problem in regards to inventory shrinkage. Broken and/or missing merchandise items was practically an everyday issue. I believe in both circumstances of employment, about 1/5 of the information in orientation training dealt with inventory shrink.

[@DavidM-bp2fh]

Metrocenter was such a nice mall. Was there all the time as a teenager. Now it's just sad. Sears was always where my family bought our appliances. End of an era.

[@fairymay7486]

Love watching you're videos thanks for the vapor wave 👍🏼✌🏼

[@kellyvernon6074]

Use to work in that Sears! Men's Dept! Should have been in that store when Diamond backs won world series omg!!!! Place was packed!!!!!!

[@Mtncubpa]

I will miss that store that and Dillards. I haven’t lived in Phoenix in over 30 years but I used to frequent that more when I lived at the foothills of the north mountain range. Are used to walk they’re following the canal it was a great experience. Of course Phoenix was really small then it was 26 and population density in our country. It only had one expressway the Black Canyon Highway. So it was a long time ago but that mall and the Christiana Mall where two of my special miles to go to. I will miss them both.

[@mustangs-marketing]

I used to be a hearing aid consultant with Miracle-Ear that was based in a Sears. It's closed now. I believe that Miracle ear franchise has one store left in one Sears.

[@ChloeHowie]

Interesting, There is a mall in my hometown called "MetroCentre" this is in England by the way, I dunno I thought that was interesting, instead of Sears its more like Debenhams and Next XD Shoutout to any other British subs!

[@JohnKelly2]

In Oklahoma City, our flagship Sears is closing in the same round as that one. It was built in the 60s and is a completely stand-alone building. I thought it would be one of the absolute last ones to close because they own the building and land. It's enormous, 160,000 sq ft. But they've already sold it and the developer is splitting it into 3 separate spaces.

[@christinacope562]

John Kelly good old Eddie. I am between 2, 1 vacant for sale forever and the other one is pitiful but Eddie's sold the auto center to Outback Steakhouse.

[@higbees31]

Back in the 70s 80s . Sears also had a driving school called "Easy Method Driving Schoool"..

[@MpowerdAPE]

so many good memories there, sorry to see Metro Center get shlocked….

[@ccateni28]

One Sears near westfarms not connected to the mall have been redeveloped into a couple stores like an rci and a shake shack. Strange, isn't it?

[@andysorensen1737]

One could say this location will no longer be...open for the community. (Puts on sunglasses)

[@CaptainThrilla]

You should really pick up the PoS computer when they start liquidating

[@blogshagify]

This guy's voice is incredible. Narration diamonds

[@bobfallis]

Last time I had any interest in Sears was as a kid in the 70's. Used to like poring through the catalog.

[@thatDonOguy]

Too bad there's no 'Sad' button here. The old MetroCenter will be greatly missed....

[@don98024]

All of the sears in the city where I live are gone. There use to be a sears wearhouse here as well. I use to go there with my dad to get parts for his sears garden tractor. When the manger of that wearhouse told us that it was closing down he said with in twenty to twenty five years from then sears would be a ghost town. He even said watch Kmart and Sears will merge together. What killed sears is their prices for junk that at one time was top of the line. They went to getting their products made cheaper which caused them to lose sales. When they quit with the sears line of lawnmowers and garden tractors and went to craftsman line is when they started losing in that category. The sears line was unbeatable. Top quality for a great price. This happened with all of their store items as well. Had a family member work at ayp which is where their outdoor equipment was made and he said when sears called off the sears brand and went to craftsman that ayp knew sears was going to eventually lose in the outdoor category. All of this was said between 1992-1994 and look at it today. This has been coming for a very long time

[@avedahusniyahadara]

metrocenter was the best mall ever!!!! when I left phx in early 2010 it was a dead mall, dillards outlet was one of the only stores

[@ModestoAbandoned]

The sears in vintage faire mall which started a couple days ago has been a part of our mall since 1977

[@joshwashere]

The Sears at the Lloyd Center mall here in Portland, OR just closed for good not too long ago. Fortunately, mall management anticipated this, and there's already a deal in place with Regal Cinemas to replace it with a 14-screen movie theater (which will replace a 10-screen multiplex across the street that opened in 1989). I'm not sure if Regal plans to tear the building down.

[@bryanzambrano6859]

Thanks for fliming this place! Last time I've been there was when I lived in Arizona back in circa 2010.

[@mymomsaysimcool9650]

They closed 3 sears stores around my area leaving none two years ago. I got a new sears card and a %10 coupon a month ago saying “We miss you.” The closest one to me is 3 hours away.