by Aaron W. Hughey

The Bel Air Shopping Center has been a center of commerce in Murray, Kentucky for many years.

“Bel Air is home to a number of businesses that most people in Murray are well aware of,” notes Opal Hart, owner of the Sears Retail Dealer Store, one of the anchor businesses at the Bel Air Shopping Center.

“In addition to Sears, there is also Fred’s, Food Giant, Murray Florist, Murray Insurance, Murray Singer, and others.”

Sears moved to the Bel Air Shopping Center in 1979. Although it was originally just a catalog store, it has grown substantially in the last 22 years.

“In 1990, I became the owner of the Sears catalog store in the Shopping Center,” Hart explains. “Then, in 1993, we became a Sears Retail Dealer store, which means that we have a wide range of merchandise in the store.”

“The Bel Air Shopping Center is very conveniently located,” Hart continues. “In fact, we did a survey some time ago in which we asked our customers if we should consider relocating. The overwhelming response was that our customers wanted us to stay right where we are.”

The Sears store currently has between eight and ten employees. As the owner, Hart insists that everyone who works at the store understand that the customer is the most important person that any of them come into contact with every day.

“We are always looking for ways to serve more people better,” Hart notes. “When people shop, they expect fast, friendly service, and that’s exactly what we strive to provide at Sears.”

“I don’t think we are that different from most of the businesses in Murray,” Hart adds quickly.

When asked about the impact of competition from discount chains, Hart indicates that business at Sears was very good.

“We are the only place where you can buy the top six brand names in appliances,” Hart elaborates. “So a customer can brand-name shop without going anywhere else.”

“Sears also has a policy of price-matching,” Hart explains. “We’ll meet any legitimately advertised price from a competitor on any item we sell.”

“Sears has been around for 115 years,” Hart continues. “It is a good company in that it is continually changing to reflect the world we live in today.”

“Since becoming a Sears Dealer Store, we have already expanded once,” Hart continues. “We took over the space that was once occupied by Pier One Imports. If things continue to grow, we’ll probably expand again someday.”

“I am always looking forward to the future optimistically,” Hart concludes. “Murray is a great place to live and work. The people here are very friendly; they make working here wonderful.”