Sears helps spark Saskatoon love story

As Sears Canada faces going out of business, the iconic retailer is being remembered for helping love flourish in Saskatoon.

The department store’s Midtown Plaza location is where sparks starting flying for Maureen and Kent Smith-Windsor as teenagers in 1972.

“I met my husband. We started dating when we were on the teen council and we have been married for 41 years,” Maureen said.

The two were attending different high schools when they were chosen to be on the Sears teen council. The program saw the department store select a boy and girl from each school to promote events to bring people into the store. Students were also given a job.

“The rest, as they say, is history,” Maureen said.

Maureen said she wasn’t initially picked to be on the council and only got the opportunity after another student moved away — and she’s glad they did.

Maureen ended up working for Sears for seven years. The job paid for her education and helped her find the love of her life.

“It always has a special place in my heart. And I think of it fondly.”

Maureen said while she will be sad to see the store go, the couple has no plans on going back together before it closes.

“I probably will. I doubt my husband will,” she chuckled. “He doesn’t go shopping unless its to pick up something specific.”

Sears Canada filed for protection from its creditors in June and announced plans to close a number of stores. The company announced Tuesday it had been unable to find a buyer willing to continue operating its stores. The company will go before a judge Friday to ask permission to shut down it remaining stores and go out of business.

Sears has occupied its Midtown Plaza location in Saskatoon since 1968. The mall’s manager said Tuesday it was too early to comment on the future of Sears in the mall.