Community reacts to news of Palm Desert Sears closing

The Palm Desert Sears will be closing in 2020, according to a new release issued by Sears owner Transformco.

Sears is located within the Westfield Mall at 72-880 Highway 111. Also among the the regional closures are the Riverside Sears and Kmart.

It’s kind of sad because when I was a little kid, Sears was thee store to go to. Probably the only store to go to and they were great. I grew up on Sears," resident Ron Porembski said.

"I’m sorry that they’re closing and having trouble. I wish they would get their act together and stay in the community," Porembski said.

The location is one of many others making Transform Holdco's list. A total of 51 stores nationwide are closing. 19 of them are in California.

“It’s kind of a store that provides everything in one," Isela said.

Isela grew up in the desert. She says it's really no surprise with all the other competition.

"A lot of people prefer just to be in the comfort of their homes other than coming to the store, getting off and dealing with lines and people," Isela said.

Isela prefers online shopping.

“It’s just more convenient. You don’t have to go out."

The alternative possible alludes to the sign of the times. It's something so many other people have caught on to.

"I shop on like Amazon and stuff like that," Darise Brooks said. "If it's online, it's easier to get to it. Gas is high so you don't have to come out."

In a statement, Transform Holdco says:

“We have been working hard to position Transformco for success by focusing on our competitive strengths and pruning operations that have struggled due to increased competition and other factors."

The "other factors" were not specified. The company, however, did say that the downsizing will result in 182 stores remaining between both Kmart and Sears.

It's still unclear what will replace the Sears location at the Westfield Mall in Palm Desert. KESQ reached out to the business, but has not yet heard a response.

Meanwhile, going-out-of-business sales are expected to begin early December.