Sears Hometown to close Ava store

A corporate bankruptcy filing and subsequent liquidation process is impacting a Sears Hometown store in Ava.

Ava’s store, along with one each in the Missouri cities of Nevada and Maryville, is slated to close after liquidation sales are completed, according to a news release from the home goods-focused unit of Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based Sears Holdings Corp.

"This truly is an extraordinary buying opportunity for communities across America," said Arnold L. Jacobs, executive managing director of Tiger Capital Group, which is helping to manage the liquidation process, in the release. "These 8,000- to 10,000-square-foot stores are filled with in-demand tools and home appliances."

The Missouri locations are among 115 Sears Hometown stores across 36 states and Puerto Rico that are closing. Sears Hometown filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this month, citing less than $50 million in assets and $50 million to $100 million in liabilities, according to court documents.

In Springfield, longtime Battlefield Mall anchor tenant Sears department store closed in 2020, according to past reporting. Sears’ parent company filed for bankruptcy reorganization in 2018 and emerged from the plan two months ago.