Alhambra : Sears Closing a Surprise

Sears, Roebuck & Co.’s announcement last week that it is closing its Alhambra store April 3 took employees and city officials by surprise.

The store was not listed for closure when Sears announced Jan. 26 that it planned to cut 50,000 full- and part-time jobs across the nation, close 113 stores, and eliminate its catalogue. “We’re not very happy. We thought we weren’t being closed down, but what can we do,” said a 38-year Sears employee who asked not to be named. Marjorie Aldoph, assistant manager of the store, said the announcement was delayed because of business and real estate issues relating to the property. “Every effort is being made to place employees at surrounding stores,” she said. Among the stores considered for staff relocation are Montebello, Boyle Heights, Pasadena, Puente Hills and Covina. The store at 2500 West Commonwealth Ave. employs 188 people, 149 of them part time. “Naturally, we’re all very disappointed,” said Theresa Perez, a Sears appliances employee. She said management told employees the store was unprofitable. “We’re disappointed the store will be closing, but given the economic times, one is not too surprised,” City Manager Julio Fuentes said. The store is one of the city’s top 25 sources of sales tax revenue. Sears reported a $3.93-billion loss for 1992, the worst in company history.