A financially struggling department store chain owner has announced a new wave of store closures, including some on the Central and South Coasts which will cost hundreds of local jobs.
Transform Holdco is the parent of Sears and K Mart. Company officials say they are going to close 96 stories, including 51 Sears and 45 K Marts. The closures include Sears stores in Santa Maria and Ventura, and a K Mart in Santa Paula.
Officials say final sales will start in December, with the goal of closing the stores by next February. The struggling department store chain will be left with 182 stores still open.