New Ulm Sears

store

has new owners

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- There's been a changing of the guard at the New Ulm Sears store as new owners have taken over operations.

Joe and Shanda Cichon (chee'-ahn), whose business experience has been in drug store operations in Minnesota, took over operation of the Sears dealer store at 1605 S. Broadway on June 15.

"We kept all the same employees (three) they had before. The former owners owned a couple locations so we're going to be able to be here on a everyday basis," Joe Cichon explained.

"We hope that will put a face on the store for the community, and we will be living in town."

Store hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday and Thursday, 9a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday remain the same.

A grand opening under new ownership sale is scheduled to start Aug. 21.

The Cichons also want their customers to know that while they're restricted by space in the numbers of models of the product lines they can carry, they can order about anything the customer might want in the models available.

"We just can't carry all the different models and variations, but we can order in different colors and models. We also have local delivery and repair service," the Cichons said.

"As we get a handle on the community, hopefully, we can stock some of the items that I know have been more of a draw. (For example) we have the high-end washers and dryers that are made in Germany that have been a nice little selling point. A lot of it is because of their capabilities and how much less power and water they use being front-loaders," Joe Cichon said..

After having worked in drug store retail for the past 10-to-12 years, Cichon felt he was ready for a change/ Shanda Cichon, after moving from the automotive industry to working in the corporate office of Snyder's Inc., a drug store chain, was all for making the leap, as well.

Joe had worked at Thrifty White Drug in New Ulm in 1998 and left wanting to come back.

"When we decided to go into our own business, Sears presented an opportunity, and New Ulm was a town I wanted to get back to. I thought it would be a good town to start a family."

The closest Sears store is in Mankato, and the Cichons say they're looking forward to the challenge.

"Mankato's a corporate store, and the smaller town (stores) run with independent owners selling for Sears. So, basically we're the hometown dealers, and the bigger stores are run by Sears Corporate," Joe Cichon said.

To which, Shanda Cichon added: "So, go over there and find what you want, and then come back here and buy it. Keep the dollars in New Ulm."