The last Sears in Illinois leaves Woodfield this weekend

The last Sears department store in Illinois is closing on Sunday.

Why it matters: Once the largest retailer in the United States, Sears was founded in Chicago. The first store opened in Chicago in 1925 and the store at Woodfield Mall served as the anchor for the largest mall in the state.

• But in 2018, Sears filed for bankruptcy after two decades of financial woes.
• As of this fall, there are only 34 Sears stores left in the U.S.

Backstory: Woodfield Mall opened in 1971 and was named after the chairman of Sears at the time, Robert E. Wood. The Woodfield location was the biggest Sears in the U.S.

What's next: There are no immediate plans to repurpose the multi-story anchor store. So of course, Justin had some quick ideas.

• Vaccination Station: We will need booster shots. And more vaccines. So why not just turn the department store perfume counter into vaccine counters? You'll be protected from COVID-19 and smell good too.
• Haunted House: The frights are less jump-scares and zombies and more about sticker shock terror. They want how much for a pair of jeans?
• Escape Room: You have an hour to get out of the old Sears and the only tools at your disposal are leftover kitchen appliances.
• Bigger Starbucks: it worked downtown.

For many of us, Sears was the go-to store of our youth.

• Monica remembers going to Sears for Kenmore appliances and back to school clothing shopping because she was stylish like that.
• Justin remembers the store in Ravenswood. They not only had clothes and appliances, but they sold tires!