Sears Hometown Store owner says they are ‘here to stay’

The Sears Hometown Store in Luling is not only staying open and doing well, it’s getting new customers from surrounding areas.

“We’re here to stay,” said store owner Kathy Witmer. “We’re a separate company from Sears Holding.”

Opened in January of 2012, the Sears Hometown Store is packed with everything you need for the lawn and garden season, Witmer said. Store traffic is actually growing, particularly with customers coming from the full-line Sears store closing in Metairie.

“We’ve gotten more phone calls to do business and gotten some traffic from over there, too,” she said. “We’re going strong and meeting customers’ needs” from Metairie and Houma areas.

Witmer said they were recently recognized with a customer service award.

Sears Hometown offers a lease-to-own program that many customers have taken advantage of, she said. It does not require a credit check.

“It’s for customers who like leasing or want a different financing option,” she said. “That’s what is great about the leasing program, it’s an underserved market we can help out.”

Customers can lease new appliances at retail rates and even have an early buyout option.

They’re also offering a commercial sales program for customers who want to buy 10 appliances or more.

In addition to these two programs, Witmer said they will soon offer a new Sears Hometown Store Mastercard.

As its owner, Witmer has remained firmly focused on the customer. Sears Hometown stores are independently owned retailers or small business owners with a company that has become part of the community. Part of her job is identifying community needs.

Providing personalized service is a major aspect of being a Sears Hometown Store, she said. The service reflects strong values and commitment, which means talking to customers and answering their questions so they can make an educated decision.

Witmer and her staff are all AAE (America’s Appliance Experts) certified as part of the Sears Hometown national effort to ensure store associates have industry leading comprehensive training, including brand specific selling certification.

Located in the St. Charles Plaza in the old Delchamps building, the retail store features tops leading brands of appliances including Kenmore, and also carries Craftsman tools, lawn care equipment and Sealy mattresses.

Sears Hometown Store is located at 12715 U.S. Suite 160B, Luling, and can be reached at (985) 308-1555.