End of an era: Articles about Sears exiting Washington state

Sears' departure from Washington marked the end of an era. This list of articles highlights Sears' closures and redevelopment plans.

The closure of the Southcenter store left Washington without a Sears presence. As stores closed, new developments emerged. The Tacoma Mall site now has new retail shops, and the South Hill Mall in Puyallup found new tenants. Redmond’s Overlake Plaza had approved master plans but expired construction permits.

NO. 1: THERE’S LIFE AFTER SEARS, EVEN FOR SEARS, IN WASHINGTON STATE. HERE’S A STORE UPDATE

The former retail giant is opening some new locations in the West. | Published December 18, 2023 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

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The Sears at Valley Mall in Union Gap, Washington, is set to close Sept. 22.

NO. 2: CLOSED, OPEN, NOW CLOSING AGAIN: SEARS’ VANISHING STORE FOOTPRINT CLAIMS WA STATE SITE

The closure set for Sept. 22, after it reopened last year, leaves just one Sears store in the state. | Published August 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

Permits filed with the City of Tacoma indicate a new Crunch Fitness coming to Sixth Avenue Plaza in Tacoma’s West End.

NO. 3: FORMER TACOMA SEARS OUTLET STORE WILL CLOSE AMID SECOND BRAND’S NATIONAL SHUTDOWN

Store that became American Freight swept up in that chain’s nationwide closing of stores amid parent company’s bankruptcy. | Published November 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

The Sears at Westfield Southcenter is the retailer’s last Washington state store, and is set to close in December.

NO. 4: SEARS’ LONG GOODBYE IN WASHINGTON ENDING WITH FINAL STORE WRAPPING UP SAD RETAIL LEGACY

The Westfield Southcenter store is ending operations in mid-December. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

These drawings were part of Seritage’s presentation for its redevelopment of a former Sears site in Redmond.

NO. 5: FORMER SEARS SITE IN WASHINGTON STATE HAD BIG PLANS. WILL IT EVER BE DEVELOPED?

When Sears made its retail exit from the Puget Sound region with its last store in the area closing last year, at least one property was envisioned as a new development not far from the Microsoft campus, with shops, apartments and restaurants. | Published November 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Debbie Cockrell

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.