Fate of Sears may be decided during Friday bankruptcy court hearing

A federal bankruptcy court could determine the future of Sears stores, including the anchor store at Joplin's Northpark Mall during a hearing Friday.

The judge has to weigh numerous bids for Sears' assets, with most of them coming from liquidating companies.


Two bids that would enable Sears stores to remain open were submitted by current CEO Eddie Lampert. One would trim the number of stores to 450, with an alternative bid bringing the number down to 250 stores.

The Lampert bids are the only one that would keep Sears operating.