Three Sears employees in Trail will soon be out of work.
Store Manager Kathy Fraser says the Sears Hometown Store was notified by corporate Aug. 11 and informed both the retail and order desk would close by Sept. 24.
The same happened at the Sears Hometown Store in Castlegar. Three employees of that outlet were told Aug. 10 that the store would close on Sept. 17.
Both hometown stores were opened almost 20 years ago, and inventory clearances are currently underway.
The hammer came down on the Trail and Castlegar businesses following a corporate review in July.
The locations were evaluated against Sears expectations, said Alicia Richler, Sears director of corporate affairs and communication.
“(The) decision was made to not continue with the existing lease as of July 2015,” she added.
The future of a local Sears counter remains uncertain, as the company is currently seeking a catalogue agent in both markets.
That delivery model would have an existing Trail business dedicate a small space for Sears customers to pick up merchandise ordered online or through the company's catalogue.
Until then, the nearest free pick up and order desk for Greater Trail residents is the Sears counter in Salmo's Skyway Hardware on Fourth Street.
Hometown stores remain open in Creston, Nelson and Grand Forks, as well as a full line department store in Kelowna.
Sears customers can continue to order online and have merchandise shipped to any of the existing hometown locations at no charge or pay for home delivery.