PEORIA, Ill. (25 News) — Shoppers hoping to snag last minute bargains arrived to a rude awakening Sunday afternoon at the Northwoods Mall Sears.
The big box store, whose impending departure from the mall was announced back in November, officially shut its doors for good at 2:30 p.m.
A parking lot sprinkled with people who thought they had until 6 p.m. – per a previous announcement – walked up to find the doors locked.
An employee at the store confirmed the early closure with 25 News.
The Peoria Sears location is one of more than 100 stores nationwide to close after the company was bought out of bankruptcy in February 2019.
Sears first opened in downtown Peoria in 1928, then moved to what’s known as “Sears Block” in 1965. Their final move was to Northwoods Mall in 1998.
There’s no word yet on any redevelopment for the space.
