Here’s What is Replacing the Vacant Sears at the Maine Mall

It's almost unavoidable on any trip to the Maine Mall to not stare at the long-defunct Sears department store space and wonder why another business hasn't taken over. The reasons why have long been complicated.

As plans for the Maine Mall came together, Sears was one of the few companies nationwide that wanted to be an anchor store for malls while opting to buy the property a Sears store was built on versus lease it. That has many advantages for businesses unless you go out of business.

Dick's Sporting Goods Has Purchased the Sears Property Attached to the Maine Mall

According to Transformco Properties, Dick's Sporting Goods has finally purchased the Maine Mall end cap that was once Sears, the Sears Auto Center as well as the On the Border restaurant building.

Dick's currently operates a store right down the street at 385 Gorham Rd in a different South Portland plaza. Dick's hasn't formerly announced a departure from that plaza, although that seems like more of a formality than anything else.

Dick's Might Bring Their 'House of Sport' Concept to the Maine Mall

Whenever Dick's Sporting Goods decides to move to their new home at the Maine Mall, they may use it as an opportunity to test out their new concept store called the House of Sport.

The House of Sport is a Dick's Sporting Goods store with the volume turned all the way up. It's not just sporting goods but also experiences and training offerings. House of Sports typically have climbing walls, golf simulators, practice cages for baseball, softball and soccer as well as a 'house of cleats' for any and all sports.

Dick's Could Also Subdivide the Sears Property

Rather than use up the square footage with a House of Sport, Dick's could also choose to simply subdivide the large space. From a business standpoint, it would be advantageous to have a tenant pay Dick's rent.

Typically, businesses like Dick's Sporting Goods don't make lateral moves unless they have something big planned. Stay tuned.