The mysterious side of Sears
<p>On a recent picture postcard Southern California day in March 2024, I entered a Sears full-line store in Whittier, California. It was sunny and bright blue outside, with fluffy white clouds above the 4 story former Broadway location that has been operating as Sears since 1996. I’m not totally certain how I became fascinated with Sears, other than an interest in history and a fascination with underdogs; in any event, here I was, about to cross the threshold and travel back in time to the late 90s. Inside, the air was still, with an aroma of starch and dust. It wasn’t unpleasant or moldy, as I had heard was the case at other locations. The sales floor was nearly empty, save a handful of employees and a customer or two. In the center stood the check stand area, with it’s warranty information dated to 2018. The 2nd floor was closed (I had been up there to walk amongst the exercise equipment and islands of softlines gondolas in a past visit) and the escalator, with it’s incessant automated safety message, was not functioning. On the ground floor, swimwear was for sale, along with some ill-fitting jeans. In the appliance section, it was a big event that a new appliance had arrived for sale (I’m pretty sure it was a dryer).</p>
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