The Sears store at Bloomington's College Mall will close in mid-June, clearing the way for an expansion that includes a Whole Foods grocery store.
"Store closures are part of a series of actions we're taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model," Howard Riefs, Sears Holdings Director of Corporate Communications said in an e-mail.
The closing will impact 52 employees. Riefs says those who are eligible will receive severance packages or be offered positions at other Sears or Kmart stores.
The store's liquidation sale will start March 25.
Plans to expand College Mall include demolishing the current Sears building and replacing it with a 59,000-square foot addition. In addition to Whole Foods, the project includes space for more restaurants and stores.