Opinions

More than a store: Reflecting on the end of a retail era

The recent opinions on the pros and cons of leaving Alaska have been fun to read and reflect on. I am not of the leaving opinion. I love it here too much.

My sadness stems from the news of the closing of the Anchorage Sears store, because that is what brought me to Alaska in 1966. I was working for Sears in Inglewood, California, when I learned of the new store that needed experienced staff. Great, I thought. Perfect.

[Carrs Safeway set to occupy Sears space in Midtown Anchorage mall]

I put in my application to transfer and request for a raise and received both. So in late October, I found myself in Anchorage, a guest at the home of the parents of one of our Customer Service employees — taken in like some long-lost relative. The McKinnons, John and Joan, were wonderful. Alaska was cold and snowy, fine by me. I loved it.

My first time through the soon-to-open store was disheartening. There was little in the way of shelving, no desks or chairs in my office-to-be, nor on the floor. But in those two weeks, it was transformed, and on opening day, the shelves were full — as were clothing racks. The city of Anchorage came en masse, the business done those first days was amazing. It was carnival time at Sears!

The opening made headline news. We received calls from communities in the Bush requesting merchandise off the floor, not out of the catalog. They asked us to pick it out for them, and we did, and shipped a lot of goods. Rarely was anything returned. The store hired a girl whose whole job it was to take those phone calls and see the goods were shipped. That turned into a full-time job for her.

I met and married a military man, and six weeks after our eldest was born, we left the state for north Central Texas. It broke my heart to leave. Every spring in Texas, I would hear the flocks of geese flying over head going north, and how I wished I could go with them. Finally, in 1980, we were coming home to the land in Homer we purchased in 1968.

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In Anchorage, I was thrilled to see the Sears store still in the same place. Benson Boulevard was new — that was where we employees parked in 1966. Many changes had taken place in Anchorage, but Sears was a constant.

I can understand the reason for the closing now, how technology has changed our lives and the role of department stores. I am not leaving again. But it will be strange to drive through Anchorage this summer and see the old Sears store gone. It's the end of an era in my lifetime.

Milli Martin lives in Homer.

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