LEWISTON – What is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year turned out to be a record-breaker for the local Sears store.

The Lewiston store ranked second nationally in percent increase in sales over the same day last year. It was the biggest sales day the store ever recorded.

“We’re having a great season so far,” said Brad Kutulas, store manager. “We’ve had a stellar November.”

The store recently finished a renovation, added new product lines – including fine jewelry and Land’s End apparel – and is promoting a customer service campaign. Company officials wouldn’t say how much the store did in sales the day after Thanksgiving, or what the percent increase was. But they did list the big sellers.

“Land’s End apparel was flying out of the store,” said Lauren Jiles-Johnson, a spokeswoman for the retailer. Electronics also sold well, especially DVD players, plasma TVs and high-definition TVs.

In fact, Kutulas said sales of jewelry and electronics outpaced the Sears store in South Portland in the Maine Mall.

“We knew this was a great market,” said Kutulas of the Lewiston site. “People here deserved a nicer Sears store and are happy to shop here. Now the numbers are proving it.”

Renovations started on the 50,000-square-foot store this summer. When they were finished, the store had a grand reopening to celebrate its facelift as well as mark its 25th anniversary in the Lewiston Mall location. The store recently signed a 10-year lease.

The Lewiston store has traditionally been a good performer for the national chain. In 2002, it ranked 10th out of 870 stores nationwide in the company’s own performance ranking.

– Carol Coultas