Sears might be going belly up

[V.C. Brunswick]

Sears Merchandise Building, Chicago, circa 1908

 

[Tomasso]

Sears founded one of the earliest radio stations.... WLS...... (World's Largest Store).................

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

WLS's original broadcast studios were on the 11th floor of the Merchandise Building tower.

 

[Tomasso]

the 11th floor of the Merchandise Building tower.

Not to be confused with the nineteenth floor of the Merchandise Mart, where radio history was made........

 

[mattfink]

First went the little guys, then the medium sized and now the former giants...welcome to post-WalMart America. NO THANK YOU!

 

[David Conwill]

First went the little guys, then the medium sized and now the former giants...welcome to post-WalMart America. NO THANK YOU!

When does Wal-Mart fail?

At least the Internet seems to have given a second wind to some of the mom and pops. I just wish it would allow more of them to retain their brick-and-mortar locations along with their expanded electronic market.

-Dave

 

[PrettySquareGal]

With the demise of Borders, the local indie bookshops have a great opportunity to get some market-share back. Not sure how much, though, since most people seem to buy online.

 

[David Conwill]

With the demise of Borders, the local indie bookshops have a great opportunity to get some market-share back. Not sure how much, though, since most people seem to buy online.

It's all about offering what the next guy doesn't; although unique venue helps too when it's something like books.

-Dave

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

It's a shame because I always liked Borders more than Barnes & Noble.

 

[Cricket]

The owner of the local Sears here had to get a second job to make ends meet. Apparently business must not be going well. My family and I purchase all our home appliances at Sears. I appreciate the friendly staff we have here, the service calls if needed and the quality of the merchandise. We try to support our local Sears as much as possible.

They even sell car toys at our local Sears. Last Christmas, I purchased three of them for our son. Struck up a conversation with the owner about how our little boy is obsessed with cars and playing with them. He stuck three more in the back,refused payment and said, 'tell him they came from Santa.'

 

[jamespowers]

The Original Sears Tower (1906)

925 S. Homan Avenue, Chicago

Looks like a leaning tower from that picture.

 

[Widebrim]

Not to be confused with the nineteenth floor of the Merchandise Mart, where radio history was made........

And WMAQ, a NBC station located there, became the first all-color station in 1956...

 

[AtomicEraTom]

When I think WMAQ, I always think of the radio station that my parents grew up with.

And WMAQ, a NBC station located there, became the first all-color station in 1956...

 

[Tomasso]

When I think WMAQ, I always think of the radio station that my parents grew up with.

Was that during the station's country/western period?

 

[AtomicEraTom]

No, that's when they played a variety of music, from Bobby Vinton, to Bobby Goldsboro, to Glen Campbell.

Was that during the station's country/western period?

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Gene Autry got his start at WLS.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

Looks like a leaning tower from that picture.

The building to the left was also part of the Sears complex. It was the Administration Building and behind it was the powerhouse.

 

[Tomasso]

No, that's when they played a variety of music, from Bobby Vinton, to Bobby Goldsboro, to Glen Campbell.

Oh, I thought that you may have acquired your appreciation of country music from your folks. Do you know of the Sears/WLS connection to country music radio? They started the National Barn Dance which begot the Grand Ole Opry.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I did know this, my parents are, in fact, die hard country-western fans as well. That's all we listen to. Well, that and Polkas and some stuff of the old WMAQ variety.

Oh, I thought that you may have acquired your appreciation of country music from your folks. Do you know of the Sears/WLS connection to country music radio? They started the National Barn Dance which begot the Grand Ole Opry.

 

[dnjan]

It happens to all of the Golden Era giants, JCpenny <crap, Macy's <on the verge, Strawbridges <dead, Lord and Taylor <ugh, Boscovs <don't get me started...

The only ones going strong are Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales... ^ those used to be the bee's knees, and now Sears is going too.

Kind of sad...

A little bit premature on the condemnation of JCPenny (IMO). The store I go to here still has decent stuff and decent service.