After years of being absent from Wellington, Sears is now back and hoping to be better than ever.       
    Sears — located at 1108 E. 16th in the old location of Gaston Floor Coverings — opened this morning with customers being able to purchase a variety of domestic appliances. From washers and dryers to stoves, ranges and refrigerators, owner Ron Godsey said Sears has it all.
    Godsey also operates the Sears in Winfield, which he has been doing for about five years.
    Sears used to be a staple in Wellington from the mid-90s until around 2001, according to Wellington Chamber of Commerce Director Shelley Hansel. Even after the store closed it’s doors for good, Godsey still saw a need for services in Wellington.
    “I got a lot of feedback from people and a lot of people from Wellington shop at the Sears in Winfield,” said Godsey.
    Janice Hellard of Sumner County Economic Development said Sears may start a trend among big name suppliers in the area.
    “I think any time any stores open, and especially something that is as brand name as that, that it shows the growth occurring within your community,” she said. “And when site selectors look at our community not just for locating retail stores, but manufacturers, they look at what else is occurring in your community. So it is definitely a good thing.”
    Hansel agrees.
    “For a community to have a Sears in it, it’s great,” she said. “I just know when Sears closed we had a lot of people that were wanting to see it reopened. And now to have it reopened is going to be a great thing for Wellington.”
    “To have a major chain store like that in Wellington shows that we are a community that can support something like that and I think that’s important as well,” Hansel continued.
    Godsey foresees his most popular item being washer and dryers.
    “Everyone’s got to have them,” he said.
    All appliances are name brand and boast the latest in home technology. From energy efficiency to special features, Godsey says he has it all.
    Along with appliances every domestic goddess would dream about, Sears also carries the signature Craftsmen tools, along with lawn mowers and lawn and garden items. Godsey says look for items to rotate as seasons start to change.
    “We’ll get a lot of additional items in for Christmas,” he said. “There’s something new here all the time.”
    Godsey said he’s most excited about the chance to be in Wellington and the chance to serve those customers who have been coming to Winfield.
    “It seems like the community is ready,” said Godsey of the new Sears.