Longtime local institution going out of business

Jan. 18, 2023 - Florence’s Sears Hometown is closing its doors this winter.

Despite the efforts of Terry Pruett, who bought the store in July of 2021, orders have come down from corporate to liquidate the store.

Those who want to support Pruett and his employees can come buy the stock they have on hand as all of it is sold on commission.

As of press deadlines there were a few large appliances left along with beds, vacuums, lawn and garden equipment, chainsaw parts and other items. Everything is discounted — even the store’s shelves and fixtures are available for purchase at a discount price.

The store is expected to be open until at least the end of February or as long as products are available for purchase.

Sears Hometown Stores Inc., a franchise-owned unit of Sears, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2022 when roughly 100 Sears Hometown stores were currently operating. That is down from 700 just three years ago. There are only about 15 full-line Sears stores left.

Florence’s Sears Hometown is located at 685 Highway 101 and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays.