LEWISTON — Sears is closing.

After 34 years at the Lewiston Mall, the store will begin its liquidation sale Oct. 19. It will shut its doors mid-January.

Unlike last winter's mass closings, which saw up to 120 Sears and Kmart stores shuttered nationwide, Lewiston's Sears is the only one closing now. Corporate spokeswoman Kim Freely said the store's lease was up and Sears Holdings decided not to renew it. 

Freely could not say whether Sears would move to another location.

"We haven't announced a new store opening at this time," she said. "I can't speculate on that."

Lewiston Mall's manager said Thursday that he did not know Sears was planning to leave.

Sears employs 60 to 70 people in Lewiston, most of them part time. Freely said employees would be notified of openings at other nearby Sears locations and Kmart stores, which are also owned by Sears Holdings. Employees will have to apply for those positions. Eligible workers will receive severance pay. 

When Lewiston's store closes, five Sears will remain in Maine. The closest to the Twin Cities are in Augusta, Brunswick and South Portland.

Freely said Sears would honor all returns and gift cards at its other stores or online.  

Sears is the second announced store closing at the Lewiston Mall. Fashion Bug is going out of business and is expected to shutter its stores between now and the end of the year.

ltice@sunjournal.com