Bankruptcy court judge approves Sears sale, keeping 425 stores, including Northpark Mall Sears open

A bankruptcy court judge approved the sale of Sears today to a hedge fund owned by company chairman Eddie Lampert for $5.2 billion.

The sale keeps 425 Sears stores, including the anchor store in Joplin's Northpark Mall, open.

Creditors asked the judge to liquidate the company, saying in court documents liquidation was the only way they were going to get any of their money.