Sears-Mart... Who needs it?

I don't know what is happening to our K-Mart back in Tullahoma now that K-Mart and Sears are merging, but I DO know what is happening to the K-Marts here in the San Diego, and it sucks.

Let's start with the new name. I thought it would be a marketing coup to rename the conjoined stores S-Mart; S for Sears, Mart for K-Mart... S-Mart for s-mart shoppers. Dave was pretty sure Sears wasn't going to give up its name and I am glad I didn't bet with him. The new stores here are called "Sears Essentials". Yuck.

I don't see how that is going to help them, keeping the Sears name. It's not like the store has been doing banner business in the past few years- ESPECIALLY since they got rid of the world renowned Sears Catalog. How stupid was that- getting OUT of the catalog business just as it, and on-line sales- were starting to boom?! IDIOTS!

I personally have always hated Sears, and it's been literally years since I have shopped at a Sears store. The only things that store was good for, in my opinion, were Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances- which are really Maytags and Whirlpools, anyway. When, after being a Sears card holder for over 20 years, Sears refused to deliver or install a very expensive refrigerator we were going to buy with cash to little out-of-the-way Tullahoma, I was done with that store. We got our refrigerator- for less- from Lowe's in little out-of-the-way T-Town.

I've never cared for K-Mart, either. It is a really hateful place to shop. There is no climate control, and that is a nationwide phenomenom. The stores are hot in the summer and cold in the winter, poorly staffed, poorly stocked, and often dirty. There is one and only one reason to go to K-Mart and her name is Martha Stewart.

I heard from one of the employees at the K-Mart here that, short of a miracle of negotiation, Sears Essentials will NOT be carrying the Martha Stewart lines. PUH-LEEZE! What else did K-Mart bring to the table? As much as I hate K-Mart, I was in there all the time because I love Martha Stewart. Her products are well-thought out, well- executed, fashionable, functional, and damn good values. Without Martha Stewart, I will have absolutely no reason to step into another K-Mart, regardless of what they choose to call it.

I am a world class shopper. I like to shop. I like to spend. God has blessed my hubby and I at the end of our working careers with a pretty hefty disposable income, and I dispose of it. K-Mart used to get a big chunk of it. Sears didn't get a dime. Sears Essentials will not be getting a dime of it either. I will go where the Martha Stewart line goes for my housewares, linens, towels, and accessories. I like her stuff. I have no use for Sears or K-Mart without it.

Wonder how long Sears Essentials will last without it? Maybe she'll go to Target. Think we'll ever get a Target in Tullahoma? Gee, I wish I had Martha's number...