Some of the customers of the Sears Hometown Store in downtown Camas have been asking the business’ owners if the local location will be among the sites that will be closed.
“We are definitely not on the list,” said Craig Cancilla.
More than 100 Sears and Kmart locations, including Sears in Roseburg, Ore., and Walla Walla, Wash., and Kmart in Lacey, Wash., are expected to close this year.
“They are older stores,” Cancilla said. “Some of the stores they are closing have really high rents, and they are not as profitable as they should be. When the profits don’t cover the bills, it’s not feasible to stay open any more.
“The Roseburg store manager has been there for more than 30 years,” he added. “It’s really sad. The people who do shop there have shopped there forever.”
The Camas store is privately owned by Cancilla and his wife Colleen, of Washougal.
“We just passed our one year anniversary, and we are looking forward to 20 or 30 more,” Craig said. “We are glad to be here in the community, and we are looking forward to a great 2012 with everybody.”
The Cancillas opened the local store in October 2010. They sell electronics, major appliances, Craftsman tools, fitness equipment, and lawn and garden merchandise.
In September, the Camas store was named a ‘Premier Dealer’ by Sears Hometown Stores, in recognition of it offering great customer service, outstanding performance and exceptional demonstrations of community involvement.
Camas Sears Hometown Store, 224 N.E. Third Ave., is open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 844-5521 or visit www.searshometownstores.com.
