More bad news added to the problems associated with the Hutchinson Mall.

Chris Brathwaite, a media spokesman for Sears Holdings issued a brief statement Friday announcing that the Sears store in Hutchinson will close to the public in mid-April. Located as an anchor store for the Hutchinson Mall, this is another blow to the mall.

He says until mid-April, the store will remain open for customers, however they will begin a liquidation sale on January 10. This store is being closed because the lease was not renewed by the owner.

The store in Hutchinson has 56 employees. Brathwaite says those associates who are eligible will receive severance and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at other area Sears or Kmart stores. Most of the associates are part time/hourly.

As we have told you earlier, with an order filed December 27th in Reno County District Court, the US Bank National Association and GS Mortgage Securities Corporation entered into an agreement with Rubloff Properties to take possession of the mall.

The suit brings the mall closer to a possible sale and what many hope will be a new owner that will take more stock in its assets.

The mall has been in steep decline over the past two years loosing Dillard’s, Radio Shack, the Armed Forces Recruiting Station, Hallmark and Christoper and Banks and now Sears.