Sears celebrating opening of renovated Oak Brook store today

Sears is celebrating the opening of its renovated Oak Brook store today.

The store is hosting a "neighborhood housewarming party" open to the community, featuring free entertainment, food, gifts and special guests including television star, celebrity and fashion pioneer Jaclyn Smith.

"The new Oak Brook store has a modern, sleek aesthetic that is tailored to the needs of the Oak Brook community," said Matthew Polich, Sears Oak Brook store manager.

The Hoffman Estates-based retailer is opening at Oakbrook Center at a time when many others across the country are closing.

The Oak Brook store is one of six remaining suburban Sears stores in the area. Others that are still open are in Golf Mill Mall in Niles, Stratford Square in Bloomingdale, Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, Stratford Square Mall in West Dundee and Hawthorn Center in Vernon Hills.

There are no immediate plans to renovate other stores in the area, Polich said. He added that the company is constantly evaluating stores.

The reopened 62,000-square-feet Oakbrook Center store is all on the lower level and is about one-third the size of the original store at the mall.

Shoes, apparel, appliances, tools, mattresses, sporting goods, grills and lawn and garden items are included in the mix. However, other products available in the past, including consumer electronics and jewelry, no longer will be sold.

About 55 workers will be at the Oak Brook store. Additional staff will be hired for the holidays, bringing the number closer to 75, Polich said.