Square One Mall Sears Closing, Leaving Void North Of Boston

SAUGUS, MA — The Sears that has been part of the Square One Mall for decades is in its final days, soon to be replaced by a massive entertainment complex on Route 1.

The Saugus Sears location is the latest to fall victim to the decline of brick-and-mortar retailers. Its closure will mean the once ubiquitous department store will cease to have a presence north of Boston.

A job listing posted by Sears parent company Transformco is looking to fill a temporary position for the Saugus location. The job listing says the location will soon be closing.

A spokesperson for Simon Malls directed inquiries to Sears. A Sears spokesperson declined comment.

Sears has started its closing sale. The remaining Sears stores will be Braintree, Brockton, Fall River, Holyoke, Marlborough, North Attleboro and Shrewsbury.

An Apex Entertainment Complex will move into the first floor of Sears. An attorney for Apex told the Saugus Board of Selectmen there is a search for a second-floor tenant. It is unknown what will happen to the Sears Auto location in the parking lot.

Apex operates recreation and entertainment complexes, offering bowling, bumper cars, go-karts, arcades and more. The Saugus location will have a 1,400-person capacity. It would also have a restaurant and bar.

Apex first popped up in 2017 in Marlborough. This would be its second Massachusetts location.