Sears’ roots run deep in Yuma history

Sun archives show store dates back to 1936 on Main Street

Say it isn’t so, Sears! The Yuma store at 32nd Street and 4th Avenue has been slated for closure among the retail chain’s ongoing financial woes.

Most Yumans know its current location, but according to Yuma Sun archives, Sears also once had a store on Main Street.

An article on page 5 of the Saturday, Oct. 3, 1936, edition of the Yuma Daily Sun and the Yuma Arizona Sentinel announced that store’s grand opening: “SEARS’ YUMA STORE OPENED “Attracted by some preparatory advertising, crowds of people have been visiting the Sears, Roebuck and company store which opened here today in the building formerly occupied by the United Store.

“On one score Manager J.P. McKinney was disappointed — his automobile tires did not arrive in time to be placed on display so that the first day crowds could see them.

“He expects to have them in, however, by the first of the week.

“No textiles are being handled at the store for the present, the stock being confined to the radios, washing machines, plumbing supplies, bicycles and merchandise of that nature.”

According to our archives, the current location, on 32nd Street and 4th Avenue, opened in 1968.

Ads in the 1968 editions of The Sun declared the new store was “Completely NEW! Decidedly DIFFERENT! Excitingly BEAUTIFUL! It’s a brand new wonderland of shopping! Not just another department store, but virtually a complete community of stores that will fulfill practically every shopping need for yourself, your family, your home and your automobile. It’s a complete, unique shopping world under one roof … all on one floor.”

It was a community affair, and ads proclaimed that the young lady who was crowned queen of the Yuma County Fair would also be the guest of honor at the ribbon cutting at the new Sears – and she would receive a complete travel ensemble from Sears, plus a three-piece set of luggage. (Miss Saundra Benjamin won the honor, by the way, and was featured in the ribbon-cutting photo on April 3, 1968.)

Sears has been a part of the Yuma community for over 80 years. While it has struggled amid an everchanging retail landscape, it’s unfortunate to see a business with such deep roots in Yuma closing its doors.

In recent decades we’ve experienced tragedy in our country, from terrorist attacks to weather-related events or economic hardships, but we still overcome all obstacles in life. What’s really sad is we as Americans are divided over issues of costs or how we are born and raised in this country. There are people who lost everything they owned from these storms, but only care about saving lives to be that guardian angel to pull someone to safety or to bring them back to life!

But one thing is so true, we as Americans stand true to our word to help their neighbors in these difficult times in their life. We have a gift and that’s to care and be compassionate to one another and be there when disaster strikes to render aid to save another person’s life from the storm’s path. No matter who you are or your ethnic backgrounds, we all come together to save lives.

It’s because we love America and are willing to go the extra mile as children of God to make sure people are safe and cared for. God bless all who volunteered and donated their time during this dangerous storm to help another American to safety and to begin to rebuild their lives! This is why we are compassionate and have a heart for helping others – it’s the reward to see the tears and smiles on their faces when they get rescued.

Moral of this story is – put aside your differences and help one another because one day you will need help too during a tragic event in your life.

This letter is in reference the Oct. 15th letter from Jack Kuchera stating that we should forget about building the wall and just let the U.S. Border Patrol do its job. I am not an authority on this subject by any means, but I do pride myself in being informed as I live on the border and have my own concerns. It is a joke to think that we could hire enough Border Patrol agents to patrol, arrest and keep our borders safe.

We are not just talking about Mexicans crossing illegally, we are talking about droves, herds, caravans of illegals from South American, Central American, European and African countries. Mr. Kuchera states why would we put up a wall against our “friends.” These people are not our friends...they are illegals, criminals, murderers, scammers, these are people crowding our country, jails, taking from our country and giving nothing in return. We cannot take care of the world...we have to have limits and if those limits and laws are not heeded, then a better solution (the guarded wall) is essential. The number of illegals crossing as we speak is in the millions ...... Where do you suggest we put them? Who would you like to feed them? Our court system is so overcrowded now…maybe some of us legal citizens should give up our spot here in our country. What do you say?

What is happening to the USA? Especially the women! Some women that is! Hopefully, men have not treated women badly that so many in the streets are shouting for the ruination of a single man. Do the females have no homes to return to which need attention? Do they not have children, especially boys who need to be taught how to be treated properly among women/girls. Moms and dads teach that education. In the home is where that teaching is formed. From dad and mom! Not under some street light. Train your boys to be gentlemen! Train your girls to protect yourselves if not treated properly.

This current situation is unacceptable. It’s not a long-term situation as I see it. It is passing, hopefully.