ORANGE PARK, Fla. – In the latest hit to America’s once-booming malls, the last Sears department store in the Jacksonville area is closing.
After nearly half a century in business, the Sears department store at the Orange Park Mall is closing.
Its parent company is shuttering dozens of Sears and K-Mart stores across the country, but the Orange Park location, which had been open for 45 years, was the last in Northeast Florida. A closing date for the Orange Park location has not been announced.
It’s one of 51 Sears and 45 K-Mart stores holding liquidation sales.
Dozens more closed last year, including the one at the Avenues Mall.
It’s not a recent trend, either.
In 2016, Sears closed its store in the Regency Square Mall.
The Orange Park store was not originally included when Sears’ parent company announced another round of closures in November.
RELATED | Sears announces it’s closing at least 50 stores
“We will continue to evaluate our Sears and K-Mart footprint, consistent with our overall retail and service strategy," the company said in a statement.
Sears’ Hometown and Auto stores will remain open.
News4Jax reached out to the store’s parent company Monday, and we have yet to hear back.
The Orange Park Mall released a statement about the closing of Sears
“Washington Prime Group, the owner of Orange Park Mall, is working closely with Sears and other stakeholders regarding future redevelopment opportunities for the Sears space. Washington Prime Group is committed to making further investments in Orange Park Mall and maintaining its longstanding presence as the gathering place to eat, shop and play in the Orange Park area.”
Randy Bowman, General Manager of Orange Park Mall