The local owner of the Statesboro Sears Hometown Store wants everyone to know that the store is here to stay.  

Gary Cooler and the local Sears Hometown Store will continue to provide our community with unrivaled customer service and the Sears brands we all love.  

There have been lots of rumors about the closing of Statesboro’s Sears store this week after Sears Holding, the corporation that owns Kmart, announced the closing of the Statesboro Kmart store.  

Sears Hometown locations operate under Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: SHOS), which separated from Sears Holdings Corporation in October 2012 and is a completely separate, publicly-traded company. 

The news from Sears Holdings Corporation about its performance and store closings are in no way a reflection of the health of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores or the Statesboro Sears Hometown Store. Plus, unlike most retail concepts, Sears Hometown Stores combine the value, selection and services associated with larger retail stores but are owned and operated by a member of the local community.

“We want to make sure our customers know that we are here to stay and will continue to provide our wonderful community with the same top-notch products, unparalleled customer service and incomparable store experience they have come to expect from us,” Cooler said.

The local Sears retailer, which provides customers with access to a full suite of merchandise and services, is the only place in town where customers can find an incredible selection of the top appliance brands, such as Kenmore®, Maytag®, KitchenAid®, Whirlpool®, Bosch®, Frigidaire® and GE®, plus a large assortment of lawn and garden equipment, Craftsman® tools, fitness equipment, mattresses and more.  

“Our store is thriving and looking forward to being a valued community partner in Statesboro for many years to come,” Cooler said. 

The Statesboro Sears Hometown team provides customers with professional advice, exceptional service and real-time price checks to make sure customers get the guaranteed lowest prices around. The store also offers Sears Nationwide Service, Parts and Installation.

Cooler purchased the local Sears store in 1991 after longtime Statesboro Sear’s manager Tal Callaway retired.  The store was originally established as a catalog store. After the discontinuation of the Sears catalog, the company began selling off the catalog stores.  

In 1996, Cooler moved the store to its current location in the Statesboro Mall. Cooler had a long career with Sears in store management before he became a store owner. The Sears Hometown Store in Statesboro employees six full-time and five part-time employees.