Company officials confirm the Sears store at Mount Berry will close in mid-March.

Howard Riefs, Director of Corporate Communications for Sears Holdings, told WRGA in an email:

"The Sears store and Sears Auto Center in Rome will close to the public in mid-March. Until then, the store will remain open for customers. The store will begin its liquidation sale on January 15. Store closures are part of a series of actions we’re taking to reduce on-going expenses, adjust our asset base, and accelerate the transformation of our business model.

The store and auto center have a combined 86 employees. Those associates that are eligible will receive severance and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears or Kmart stores."

In November, Hometown Headlines reported that a construction schematic submitted to Rome’s building departmen showed the proposed demolition of the Sears wing of the mall, which also includes several vacant storefronts.

(WRGA)