Thursday, October 8, 2015

Sears Grand (now Grand-less) Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Sears Grand, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
8250 Day Creek Blvd Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
Photos by Andrew Gileo


Once upon a time (ok, 2003), Sears launched a concept called "Sears Grand". It was essentially Sears meets Kmart on steroids, but Sears and Kmart wouldn't merge until 2004. You can get all the big brands Sears offered when it came to tools, appliances, electronics and even auto care, plus you can get basic items like soda, chips, toys, sheets and batteries. A lot of its stores were built brand new, giving it a completely fresh look. Once Sears and Kmart merged, some Kmart stores converted to this concept. Sadly, some were a half hearted effort. Some stores would simply be repainted, put up a new logo, and changed the Kmart price tags to Sears ones, often raising the prices. Customers didn't take to this idea, and many of these concept stores were quickly changed back to Kmart. The positive was, when changing back to Kmart, most got a full remodel, such as the Summerville, SC store.

Then, there's stores like this: Built as a Sears Grand, yet, it quietly lost its "Grand". Items that would make it "Grand" were removed, and the store was basically converted into a regular Sears department store. I don't believe Sears ever officially retired the Sears Grand name plate, but from the looks of it, most have been turned into a regular Sears store.


Exterior






Going Inside


The map is original to the stores opening.... and isn't reflective of whats inside today




The front end of the store featuring an open Sears Optical, a failed Portrait Studio, and a failed Dentist.




Clothing








Jewelry



Bedding



Appliances


Electronics



Tools


Sears Auto Center


Bed sheets are YUMMY! (Former Pantry section)


Outdoor Furniture


Shopping Cart


Checkouts


Photos were taken in the SUMMER of 2015... (look at the bags)


Have a Sears Grand of your own to share? Please comment below or email deadanddyingretail@gmail.com

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Kmart on Dunn Rd in Florrisant, MO - An employees look

Kmart (Former Venture) on Dunn Rd in Florissant, MO - An employees look from liquidation to closed forever

Written by: Alex Dunn & Mike Kalasnik
Published: April 3rd 2015

The sister store 3.5 miles apart from store 4304, store 9334 was a former Venture built in the early 70s, opened in 10/1998 as Kmart after Venture went out of business, looted in the Michael Brown riots in August 2014, and in September 2014 it was announced it would be closing December 7th 2014. Just as I lost my job at U.S. Bank on 9/23 the closure announcement was made the next day with liquidation beginning on 9/28 and was told at my store I could get 40 hours if I did my store and helped out at store 9334. Not only was I the only person from 4304 to go over and help, I got major overtime and looked forward to going over because I could get actual work done, escape the drama and bullshit at store 4304 and made friends with many folks over there especially their HR lead Karol who was at 4304 years ago and is close friends with Jan my HR manager and one of my favorite co-workers Miss Pat. But slowly I started getting 40 hours or more unintentionally at my store (too many hours with Apu fixing the CC server computer combined with the hot mess known as no money down layaway) and could not go over anymore except to get repack boxes for layaway on my way to work and pick up some bargains on my off time. Anyway here's a behind the scenes look at the final days of what I call the "second warehouse for Flower Valley"

May 2012 - Photo by Mike Kalasnik


August 2014 - After the looting in Ferguson/Florrisant


September 2014 - The store announces its liquidation









 Jewelry cases still missing its glass from the August riots







You can tell the sheer size of this Kmart sign. It was a Venture sign originally.




Now a look at the back offices and back stock rooms


 Main office


 Break room


  
When stores are closing (not just Kmart), they often receive other stores' discontinued and clearance merchandise to liquidate and it's a long tedious effort to ticket everything and make sure it's ticketed correctly, here's a pallet of toys from Crystal City


 Liquidators desk






TONS of merchandise to get to the floor!



One of the 4 highs inherited from the St Peters store that closed in 2002 during round one of bankruptcy

  
Working on a 4-Hi full of stationery, come get your whiteout and pencil boxes at 25% off!


Photos of the sales floor throughout October 2014


  
The last day of the pharmacy was Monday the 20th, patient records and any opened inventory were sent to 4304, unopened inventory got sent back to the supplier. I was pissed during no money down layaway when I found out the loft in the toy stockroom had a big fat padlock on it and became storage for pharmacy







November 2014 - Items are being moved around, shelving units being removed and deeper discounts are taken.



 LOADS of boxes to ticket and go through!!






 The things you find when you remove shelving units...







The old KCafe registers still in storage


What a menu selection!!




 Back to the sales floor...









 These are being sent to other Kmart stores



December 2014 - The sales floor is more bare as shoppers buy up more items












 This location would of sold groceries at some point, but the plans were tabled.





 The South City store is getting a majority of the fashion/softlines fixtures















 Naked Mannequins


Someone added this with a Sharpie!


The final two layaway contracts of store 9334




Imagine trying to match, pack and resell this stuff?


 Venture sign!!


Anyone know what this is?


 More Venture signs


 Former Ventiure bakery area is now the out of package tagging/supply room


I found on one of the desks in the office, store coupons from round 2 of bankruptcy in 2003!





 The last day....



 Yes VHS....


What didn't sell by the time the store closed for good






I believe Kmart employs good people. People who loved their job, who loved helping customers, and were loyal to the company. Alex shares some photos of those employees. No matter what anyone says about Kmart, you cant forget about these employes who are losing their jobs and place they loved to work at.

With the office lead Mary who's been in this building for 41 years since the Venture days!


Miss Cynthia doesn't want Kim in her final photo!


With Chad in hardlines that has become one of my favorite Dunn Rd people!


With the HR manager Karol aka Wilson that I've become great friends with


 Steve and Nathan the managers playing ball while Jason from LP walks by


Despite the store being closed, these guys are in good spirits


Walked out of the store one last time on December 7th 2014


December 13th 2014 - Logo is gone from the store & road sign







The good news in all this is most people got to move to other Kmart stores, and reclaim the job they loved so much. I am working at store 4304 in Florissant, MO and have been since August 2010. Stop by and say hi!