Demolition phase begins at Sears stores in Kelowna

Demolitions have begun inside the Sears store at Orchard Park Mall in Kelowna.

Senior management completed the walk-through audit back in January and are beginning the demolition phase of the redevelopment project, according to Donna Markin.

"We have completed an extensive building audit of the Sears Department store," said Donna Markin, general manager of Primaris Orchard Park Shopping Centre.

Initially, staff was unsure whether or not a demolition or renovation would be required.

However, based on the team's next steps, little of the existing interior infrastructure was deemed salvageable.

"We will be moving forward with demolition of the interior of the premise," she said.

The Sears stores opened 47 years ago and have seen little to no upgrades inside.

No details were released regarding what the Sears store will be used for after the renovations are completed, but Markin says it's going to be a big undertaking.

"It's really positioning us for the next 25 years," she told KelownaNow in January.

While it's a hefty project, it's not one they hope to drag out. Markin hopes to have a new venture operating and making a profit by 2018.

Markin and a group of staff from a Toronto-based real estate company, H&R Real Estate Investment Trust, are considering a home fashion and decor business to occupy the new space. According to Markin, stores like Sephora and Sage have been Orchard Park's strongest performers.

In October 2017, Sears announced it would be liquidating stores across the country, including both of Kelowna's Sears stores.

The Sears department store at Orchard Park Mall opened in 1971.

Sears Canada shareholders and pensioners are still hoping to recoup money they claim has been missing since the company declared bankruptcy.