STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Sears Auto Center in the Staten Island Mall in New Springville will close to the public in mid-February; the store will remain open.

A favorite spot for Staten Island motorists to get their cars fixed and battery or tires replaced since March 1973, when Sears opened in the Mall, the auto center will close as part of its lease agreement with Mall owners.

"The Sears store, including Sears Auto Center, at the Staten Island Mall was recently sold to the Seritage Growth Partners/General Growth Properties Joint Venture as part of the agreement in which Sears Holdings leases the store from the Joint Venture," said Howard Riefs, director of corporate communications for Sears.

"The Joint Venture contractually has the right to recapture the space occupied by the Sears Auto Center location. The Joint Venture informed us that they will be exercising that right, and hence, we will be closing the Sears Auto Center," he added.

Sears Auto Center has 20 employees, Reifs said.

"Those associates who are eligible will receive severance and have the opportunity to apply for open positions at area Sears or Kmart stores," he said.

MALL REDEVELOPMENT

General Growth Properties has embarked on a redevelopment plan that includes a 427,000-square-foot expansion of the Mall. The project includes interior and exterior upgrades, new fashion retailers, restaurants, a cinema, public piazza and a Fairway Market.

General Growth Properties didn't immediately respond to Advance inquires about why the auto shop is being eliminated and if or which retailers will occupy the space where the auto center in now located.

Other nearby Sears Auto Center locations are:

Brooklyn: 2359 Bedford Ave.

Brooklyn: 5200 Kings Plaza