LIVONIA (WWJ) - Luck has finally run out for one of the final Sears department stores hanging on in Michigan.
The store closing sign is now posted on the door at the 7 Mile Rd. and Middle Belt location in Livonia.
"It's not surprising," said Dan West, President of Livonia Chamber of Commerce. "The Kmart store at 7 (Mile) and Farmington closed three years ago, and we kind of thought this would eventually happen with the Sears store."
"It's a lot of history. That store was opened in 1963; it's been around in Livonia a long time."
It's unfortunate to see that piece of history go, West told WWJ Newsradio 950's Brooke Allen, but there may be a bright spot: "We believe this will lead to some good redevelopment opportunities for that part of Livonia," West said. "...The city's already kind of got a strategy in mind for what could go in there."
While no official closing date has been announced, WWJ's Jon Hewett reports it's expected to be on or around April 12.
In the meantime, signs at the store indicate they're having a sale, with discounts anywhere from 10% to 40% off.
This news comes in a modern shopping era where brick-and-motor retail continues to struggle, and a scant few Sears and Kmart stores remain open across the state.
"It's just a matter of time before Westland goes," said Steve from Westland. "It's sad to say, but there's nobody in the stores. You could shoot a cannon through the aisles, you know?"
Following a long list of earlier closures, metro Detroit shoppers can still find a Sears department store open at the Westland Center mall. There's also one still open in Grandville, Michigan. Fewer than a dozen Kmart stores still exist in Michigan; including in Waterford, Belleville and Midland.