Sears To Close Another Connecticut Location

MERIDEN, CT — And the hits keep coming for once mighty national retailers. The latest news came Thursday when Sears announced it will close its Lewis Avenue Meriden location in February 2019, according to to company officials.

In October, Sears announced plans to close two Connecticut stores at 850 Hartford Turnpike in Waterford and 1201 Boston Post Road in Milford. In June, Sears announced it would close its Waterbury location. In late 2017, the Sears Hardware store in Shelton closed.

The Meriden store was just added to the closing list today. After February 2019, the only Sears stores left in Connecticut will be in Danbury and Manchester.

Kmart announced in August it would close its location in Milford. Kmart still has stores in Vernon and Watertown.

Previously the retail chain had announced that it will close 142 stores across the country by the end of the year. Liquidation sales at the store are expected to begin this week.

It's Not Just Sears Taking Hits

Just this week, Lowe's announced plans to close its Orange location in early 2019. The L.L. Bean location in Orange is also closing in early 2019, company officials revealed this week.

National retailer Mattress Firm announced last month that it will shutter roughly 700 stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Friday. In Connecticut, the company will close six locations, according to media reports including BusinessInsider.com and WTNH News 8.

The six locations are: Branford, Bristol, Newington, Orange, Tolland, and Wethersfield. The decision to close stores in certain markets was made because there are "too many locations in close proximity to each other," the company said.

During the summer it was announced that Brookstone is closing all of its 101 mall locations across the country, including three in Connecticut amid a bankruptcy filing. Brookstone at the time had locations in Danbury, Waterford and at Mohegan Sun casino. The company sells niche electronic and other items.

Two Sam's Club locations in Connecticut, Orange and Manchester, both abruptly closed for good in January.

And 2017, also wasn't kind to retailers either. Bob's Stores, Eastern Mountain Sports, Payless Shoes, Rue 21, JC Penney in Milford and more all closed. (To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.)

Sears Struggles

Sears, the struggling 125-year-old retailer, announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month, causing another 142 stores to close nationwide.

The retailer, which has been forced to close hundreds of stores in recent months, said at the time it will close unprofitable locations near the end of the year. Those closings are in addition to 46 locations that were already set to close by the end of November.

The company is seeking a buyer for the majority of its remaining stores but said locations will remain open for the holiday shopping season. CEO Edward S. Lampert has stepped down effective immediately but remained chairman.

"Over the last several years, we have worked hard to transform our business and unlock the value of our assets," said Lampert said in a statement issued early Monday. "While we have made progress, the plan has yet to deliver the results we have desired, and addressing the Company's immediate liquidity needs has impacted our efforts to become a profitable and more competitive retailer.

"As we look toward the holiday season, Sears and Kmart stores remain open for business and our dedicated associates look forward to serving our members and customers," Lampert added.

Sears, which last year sold off its famous Craftsman brand, has about 700 remaining stores and 68,000 employees —down from the 1,000 stores and 89,000 workers it had in early 2018, according to CNN.

Shannon Antinori and Joe Vince, Patch Staff, contributed to this report.

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