Sears Opens Showroom in Rancho Santa Margarita

Cookies were on the counter, a kids' movie was on the TV and the mayor was in the house. Sears Appliance Showroom officially unveiled itself Friday, promising a different kind of shopping experience.

Representatives from the city and the Rancho Santa Margarita Business Alliance were on hand Friday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Today, Saturday, is the grand opening of the store, which is wedged between Lowe's and Paradise Cleaners.

"This is an exciting day for Rancho Santa Margarita," said Mayor Tony Beall. "I love attending ribbon cuttings, but quite frankly, it's been awhile since I've had the pleasure of doing one, thanks to our national and state economic situation."

Beall and others were all smiles as Sears opened its second Appliance Showroom in California. The first was in Alhambra, and the plan is to expand to 10 over the next two years. Nationally, this is the 69th such store.

This is the direction that Sears is taking, said store manager Len Marquez. "The last [full department] store to be built was in Puente Hills in the mid-'70s," he said. "This is the only growing entity in Sears. It's a big culture difference."

There's coffee and sodas—kept cold in one of the several refrigerators in the store—and fresh-baked cookies for those looking around. There's an area for kids to hang out too. The idea is to be informal and friendly. 

The store is also offering $25 gift cards to the first 20 customers (the store opens at 10 a.m.) and a drawing for a $250 gift card, a Kenmore Elite stand mixer or LG vacuum.

There's also an extra 10 percent off all purchases.

"We're really thrilled to be in Rancho Santa Margarita," said Carlos Fojo, vice president and general manager of the Home Appliance Showroom Division for Sears holdings. "We thought the community lined up perfectly for what we're trying to do here in the home applicance showroom, which is provide a truly differentiated shopping experience for our customers and really connect with the community and make a difference."

Store hours Monday through Saturday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.