 |
| Andrews Avenue 1939 Florida State Archives/ Florida Memory |
By Jane Feehan
Sears, Roebuck and Company, founded in 1886, has had its ups
and downs over the years. The largest retailer in the United States until 1989,
it now occasionally announces store closings. Fort Lauderdale
residents wonder if Searstown on Federal Highway at Sunrise will be shutting
its doors. Now they know. In January 2022 the landmark department store announced it is closed after 66 years.
Few
know the history of Sears in Fort Lauderdale; it did not begin with Searstown.
Sears opened its first Fort Lauderdale store Jan. 7, 1937 at
101 S. Andrews Ave. Mayor Lewis Moore (in office 1937-39) officiated at the
event along with Chamber of Commerce President J.D. Camp. A reported 2,000
residents “thronged” to the 19,000 sq. foot store. With plenty of product lines
to choose from, the store also operated an automotive department offering free
tire and battery servicing to those who purchased the products at Sears.
Opening day was so busy Store Manager E.E. Carroll summoned additional help to
assist at registers and in the aisles.
Sears’ business continued to expand in the growing city. In 1955 the new Searstown opened at 901 N. Federal Hwy where it entered memories of current long-time residents. The transition day between the closing of the store on South Andrews and the opening on Federal was the first business day Sears had closed in the 18 years it had been in Fort Lauderdale.
Searstown, touted as having plenty of parking--and always had--was anchor store to a collection of 15 other businesses by 1958: grocer Piggly Wiggly (second largest in the center), Billet Doux Card Shop, Stevens Bakery, Dr. Harold S. Doubleday, optometrist, Pribbles Jewelry, Searstown Beauty Salon, Chat-N-Nibble Sandwich Shop, Deluxe Barber Shop, Monty’s 5 & 10, Gift Box, Broward Drug and Surgical Supply, the Religious Shop, Dr. William Migden, physician and surgeon, and Town Properties Realty.
Sears’ business continued to expand in the growing city. In 1955 the new Searstown opened at 901 N. Federal Hwy where it entered memories of current long-time residents. The transition day between the closing of the store on South Andrews and the opening on Federal was the first business day Sears had closed in the 18 years it had been in Fort Lauderdale.
Searstown, touted as having plenty of parking--and always had--was anchor store to a collection of 15 other businesses by 1958: grocer Piggly Wiggly (second largest in the center), Billet Doux Card Shop, Stevens Bakery, Dr. Harold S. Doubleday, optometrist, Pribbles Jewelry, Searstown Beauty Salon, Chat-N-Nibble Sandwich Shop, Deluxe Barber Shop, Monty’s 5 & 10, Gift Box, Broward Drug and Surgical Supply, the Religious Shop, Dr. William Migden, physician and surgeon, and Town Properties Realty.
By 1958, Searstown was upgraded in the Sears roster of
highest revenue producers to number 75 out of its top 122 stores. I wonder how
it ranks today …
Update:
Sun-Sentinel Nov 7, 2023
Denver-based Aimco announces plans to develop three mixed-use towers on the property.
As of early 2024, the property has been cleared.
Oct. 15, 2018 national story on Sears bankruptcy filing.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/ct-biz-sears-bankruptcy-20181015-story.html
Update: Sun-Sentinel 5/14/23
Plans uncertain for closed Searstown. RK Centers has already bought/sold the property. Another developer, Aimco, has proposed tamed down version of the first: 797 apts instead of 954, three towers instead of four but city doesn't like it. Not spectacular enough. Dubbed 901 North, the new plan presents no "gravitas" as city entrance. ( JF note: Now Mayor T is worried about traffic impact. Now, he's worried. Others worry about lack of infrastructure to support it ... now they're worried). Anyway, nothing for 2023 project start.
Searstown closed January 2022 to make way for a $400 million mixed use project of apartments (condos?), offices and retail space by RK Developers. The project is expected to begin mid 2023. Get ready for even more traffic nightmares.
Update January 2024:
Searstown completely torn down.
Sources:
Fort Lauderdale News,
Jan. 6, 1937
Fort Lauderdale News,
Jan. 7, 1937
Fort Lauderdale News,
Aug. 10, 1958
Tags: Fort Lauderdale
history, History of Fort Lauderdale, Florida retail history, South Florida history, Broward County history, About Fort Lauderdale
Jane Feehan
