Business

Sears was everywhere in South Florida. Take a look at the stores back then

By Miami Herald Archives

Sears used to be our everyhing store. And they seemed to be everywhere in South Florida.

The department store was in downtown Miami, at a busy Fort Lauderdale intersection and in many suburban malls.

The downtown site is now Miami-Dade’s performing arts center. Sears Town in Fort Lauderdale is being redeveloped with high-end residential towers.

Now, South Florida has one Sears store left, on the border of Coral Gables and Miami — and it might not be there for long as developers come knocking at the door.

MORE: Inside the last Sears: How a dominant Miami department store has changed

Let’s go through the photo archives of the Miami Herald to see what Sears stores looked like:

In 1991, the Sears building on Biscayne Boulevard just north of downtown Miami.
In 1991, the Sears building on Biscayne Boulevard just north of downtown Miami. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
People watch the Nixon resignation in 1974 at a Miami Sears store.
People watch the Nixon resignation in 1974 at a Miami Sears store. Mike O'Bryon Miami Herald
In 1954, construction on the new Sears store at Douglas Road and Coral Way near Coral Gables.
In 1954, construction on the new Sears store at Douglas Road and Coral Way near Coral Gables. Doug Kennedy Miami Herald File
Sears in Cutler Ridge in 1970.
Sears in Cutler Ridge in 1970. Miami Herald File
Inside a Miami Sears store in 1964.
Inside a Miami Sears store in 1964. Bill Sanders Miami Herald File
In 1960, Sears at Northside Shopping Center in Miami-Dade.
In 1960, Sears at Northside Shopping Center in Miami-Dade. Ray Fisher Miami Herald File
Sears Roebuck at Northside Shopping Center in Miami.
Sears Roebuck at Northside Shopping Center in Miami. Miami Herald File
The gas station at Sears Northside in 1960.
The gas station at Sears Northside in 1960. Ray Fisher Miami Herald File
In 1993, a Sears distribution center at 7500 NW 25th St. near the Miami airport.
In 1993, a Sears distribution center at 7500 NW 25th St. near the Miami airport. Peter Andrew Bosch Miami Herald File
Jewelry department at Sears in Westland Mall in Hialeah.
Jewelry department at Sears in Westland Mall in Hialeah. C.M. Guerrero Miami Herald File
Arriving executives for the opening of the Sears Town shopping center in Fort Lauderdale in 1955.
Arriving executives for the opening of the Sears Town shopping center in Fort Lauderdale in 1955. Gene Hyde Miami Herald File
Sears Kendall’s Town and Country mall in 1989.
Sears Kendall’s Town and Country mall in 1989. Al Diaz Miami Herald File
In 1993, employees at a Sears in South Miami-Dade prepare for opening.
In 1993, employees at a Sears in South Miami-Dade prepare for opening. Raul Rubiera Miami Herald File
The top of the Sears tower at Biscayne Boulevard and 13th Street in 1983.
The top of the Sears tower at Biscayne Boulevard and 13th Street in 1983. Bob East Miami Herald File
Sears, just north of downtown Miami, in 1982.
Sears, just north of downtown Miami, in 1982. Tim Chapman Miami Herald File
Financial center at Sears at International Mall in Doral in 1983.
Financial center at Sears at International Mall in Doral in 1983. Bob East Miami Herald File
Clearance sale as the downtown Miami Sears store prepares to close in 1983.
Clearance sale as the downtown Miami Sears store prepares to close in 1983. Miami Herald File

This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.

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