We got word today that Sears' Rocky Mount store is among 100 to 120 Sears and Kmart stores that will be closing in the upcoming months. And since our business reporter is off this week, coverage of the story fell to me.

I had heard rumors a few weeks ago that it might close, but was relieved when John Henderson called and talked to the Golden East Crossing mall manager who said the rumors were untrue. When Sears announced 100-120 stores closing earlier this week, I was afraid the mall manager simply hadn't been told and after today's announcement, I knew that was the case. I talked with Sears' Store Manager Carrie Kohls who said she was notified today of the closure as well. 

What strikes me the most is that about an hour prior to the announcement, I was meeting with several entrepreneurs looking to locate in Downtown Rocky Mount for a story that was supposed to run tomorrow about downtown development. The story has since gotten pushed back to early next week, but it just amazed me to go from an optimistic story about business in Rocky Mount to one that brought such bad publicity for the city.

I wrote the initial brief for the website after talking with Kohls, but wanted to get some reaction from Sears customers, so I headed to the mall. I was talking with a Shaw University student home in Nashville for the break who, like me, wondered what could be done to prevent such closings.

What makes a business suceed or fail? Other than the obvious answer of sales, what others factors makes people shop at a particular store over a competitor's store? What do you think could be done by businesses to increase their sales and keep their doors open? Furthermore, what do you think the community can do to keep businesses from closing?