Business

A look back at Sears stores in Miami and a look ahead at Claire's struggles

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

These articles focus on the changing retail world in South Florida.

Sears once dominated the landscape with outlets in downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Now, Claire’s plans to shutter multiple stores in the region.

Take a look at what the companies are facing.

In 1991, the Sears building on Biscayne Boulevard just north of downtown Miami. By Al Diaz

NO. 1: SEARS WAS EVERYWHERE IN SOUTH FLORIDA. TAKE A LOOK AT THE STORES BACK THEN

These photos show a different shopping world. | Published May 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Miami Herald Archives

Alma Outy, 3, sits on ‘Veiled in a Dream,’ a bronze sculpture by Wendell Castle, one of the many art installations available for visitors to see at Aventura Mall on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024, in Aventura, Fla. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 2: CAN YOU BRING YOUR DOG TO THE MALL? HERE’S WHAT THE RULES SAY IN SOUTH FLORIDA

What to expect when shopping and dining. | Published June 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cordell Jones

In this file photo from April 17, 2004, Bonnie and Marla Schaefer, daughters of Claire’s founder Rowland Schaefer, are pictured together at the Claire’s store in Pembroke Pines. They took over Claire's Corporation at the time when their father stepped down in 2003. By C.W. GRIFFIN

NO. 3: WHAT WILL THE TWEENS DO? CLAIRE’S CLOSING SOME STORES IN SOUTH FLORIDA. SEE LIST

Claire’s, a mall boutique chain that began life as a Chicago wig store more than 60 years ago before it became a fashion favorite of tweens, teens and young women looking for accessories and jewelry, is set to close more than 290 stores. | Published August 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Howard Cohen

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.