What is Replacing The Old Sears Store in Brunswick, Maine

For many longtime shoppers of Sears department stores, it feels like a lifetime ago since the retail chain was thriving in Maine.

Over the last 20 years, Sears continually kept downsizing their footprint, eventually closing all stores in Maine. Some of which were cornerstones to prominent shopping malls.

That included the Sears location in Brunswick, Maine, at the Cook's Corner Mall where Sears was an anchor tenant since the mall's grand opening in 1966.

It's been nearly six full years since Sears closed their Brunswick, Maine, location in 2020. And now, something new is finally on its way for the vacant space.

Hobby Lobby Will Take Over Some of the Vacant Sears Space in Brunswick, Maine

After six years of sitting dormant, work has begun on transforming the 82,000 square foot former Sears department store into something new.

According to the Boulos Company, a portion of that space will become a brand new Hobby Lobby location.

Hobby Lobby currently operates four locations in Maine in Bangor, Waterville, Augusta and Auburn.

The remaining 33,000 square feet of space that Hobby Lobby isn't taking over remains available for future businesses.

When Hobby Lobby does open, it will join Hannaford, Dollar Tree, TJ Maxx and and Staples as part of a revitalized Cook's Corner Shopping Center.

Several Other Sears Locations in Maine Are Being Transformed Into New Things

Another long dormant Sears location in Lewiston, Maine is also on its way to becoming something new.

According to the Lewiston Sun Journal, Hannaford is set to take over the old space that once housed Sears in the Lewiston Mall.

The Lewiston Mall Hannaford location will be the second Hannaford store in Lewiston. Hannaford plans to open early in 2027.

The old Sears location at the Maine Mall has been purchase by Dick's Sporting Goods and is expected to transition into a Dick's House of Sport when the company's lease expires at their current South Portland location.