Summerside Sears store closing in new year

The Sears store in Summerside is closing after Christmas, leaving a dozen people out of work.

Since 2009, Melissa and Mark Robinson have owned and operated the Sears store, which sells furniture and appliances, and has a catalogue division.

But Sears corporate office has decided not to renew its contract with the Summerside store, forcing the Robinsons to close.

• Sears closing 5 stores in Canada
• Sears closing 6 P.E.I. outlets

"It really was a shock," said Melissa Robinson."We weren't expecting the timing of this, so to have to tell our customers and our staff we weren't going to operating past the new year is really unfortunate."

Employees will not receive any severance or financial compensation once their employment ends, and the owners say they feel terrible having to tell them the bad news so close to Christmas.

Robinson said Sears has been downsizing across the country, so she wasn't totally surprised by the decision, although she's frustrated because the business had been successful, with sales growing since the Robinsons took over.

'More businesses closing'.

The closure is bad news for the city of Summerside, Robinson added, sayingthere seem to be "more businesses closing than opening" in the city.

"Even the loss of 10 more jobs in Summerside is very unfortunate, so I really hope there's some new things in the new year that will revitalize the Summerside and Prince County area for options being able to shop local and for employment," said Robinson.

"It's a big loss. You know, a store of this size," agreed customer Herb McEwen. "We like to keep business here."

The Robinsons are uncertain of their future plans, but said Wednesday they hope to find a new business opportunity in Summerside.

In astatement to CBC News, Sears Canada said the store is beingshut down as part of an operational review.

Vincent Power, vice president of corporate affairs and communications,said Sears intends to establish an agent in Summerside where customers can pick up online and catalogue orders.