Michelle Catan, of Oneonta, said that she sought a career change. So she bought Sears in Oneonta.
Catan said she bought the business from David Zummo for an undisclosed amount. Catan said she most recently worked as a commercial loan officer at Wilber National Bank and also has worked at NBT Bank.
Catan, whose maiden name is Georgia, graduated from Oneonta High School in 1983 and knew the Zummo family growing up. Her husband, Paul, will help her in the business and continue at his position with NBT Bank in Norwich, she said. Their children, 5-year-old triplets, will start at Valleyview Elementary School this autumn.
Her first official day as owner was Sunday, she said, and on Tuesday, she sold a dishwasher, a lawn tractor, refrigerator and a stackable washer and dryer.
Sears has eight full- and part-time employees, Catan said, and the only one who didn’t stay on was Mary Zummo, David’s mother, who retired.
The store will continue with its friendly customer service, Catan said, and a major addition will be the ability of customers to order and buy parts at the store instead of on the Internet or over the telephone, she said.
Logo from Sears.
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