Business

What will happen to the last Sears store in Miami? See 5 takeaways from the plan

By Miami Herald Archives, with AI summarization

Sears is nearing its end in South Florida, with redevelopment plans approved for the last store in Miami-Dade and Broward. The store at Coral Way and Douglas Road on the Miami and Coral Gables border will likely make way for a mixed-use development.

FULL STORY: Last Sears store in South Florida could disappear

Customers still go to the last Sears store in Miami, as seen here at the “Coral Gables store” as longtime customers call the store on the Miami side of Douglas Road and Coral Way, on the afternoon of July 10, 2024. But even so, the aisles are seldom crowded like they were in the store’s heyday, which lasted for decades after its 1954 opening at this location.
Customers still go to the last Sears store in Miami, as seen here at the “Coral Gables store” as longtime customers call the store on the Miami side of Douglas Road and Coral Way, on the afternoon of July 10, 2024. But even so, the aisles are seldom crowded like they were in the store’s heyday, which lasted for decades after its 1954 opening at this location. Howard Cohen hcohen@miamiherald.com

Here are the highlights:

▪ Redevelopment plans: The site will feature three eight-story buildings with 1,050 residential units and retail space. The new development plans don’t include a Sears store.

▪ Prime location: The property is near Coral Gables, offering a great opportunity for developers to build close to restaurants, a theater and stores.

▪ Historical significance: The Sears store, a landmark since 1954, has been popular with locals and tourists over the years.

▪ Future uncertainty: While the site is up for sale, the fate of Sears remains undecided. The approved plans show no sign of the existing store, indicating a potential shutdown.

▪ Broader context: The change is part of a larger trend of Sears stores closing across South Florida. Many former Sears locations are being redeveloped into mixed-use spaces, reflecting shifts in retail and urban development.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in the Miami Herald newsroom. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by Miami Herald journalists.

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