After 40 years of business in the Pike County retail market, Chris Schubert, owner of Sears of Troy, will close the cash registers for the last time on June 30.

“I will miss my daily interactions with great customers, but I look forward to spending more time with my family,” Schubert said. “Our community is a great place to business.”

Schubert opened the Sears store 16 years ago and in 2012 migrated to the Sears Hometown Stores franchise format.

He said Tuesday that Sears Hometown Stores will not seek another franchise owner in the Troy market. “Sears customers will continue to be served by the Sears Hometown Stores in Enterprise, Dothan, Eufaula, Andalusia and Greenville,” he said.

Schubert plans to lease or sell his building at 103 U.S. Highway 231 in Troy.

“You know, when I built that store out there Kentucky Fried Chicken was the only other thing there,” Schubert said. “Now we have three restaurants, a car dealership and more.”

Schubert has owned, operated and started several businesses since moving to Troy from Texas in 1977. Among these were Wood Furniture Co., Home Express, Sister Schubert Homemade Rolls and Sears.

“Throughout my years of retail experience, one thing remains constant – the importance of keeping a positive, professional and kind relationship with the thousands of wonderful customers I have had the honor to serve,” Schubert said.

For the past 16 years, his Sears store also has employed five or more part-time workers. “We’ve heavily used college kids because they’re a renewable resource,” Schubert said. “We’ve always had good luck finding good workers.”

And while Schubert said he will truly miss the customers and interacting with them each day, he is looking forward to retirement and spending time with his family. “My grandchildren are growing up,” he said of his six grandchildren. “I want to spend time with them.”

Schubert said he expects floor merchandise in the store to be sold at a discount over the next month. In addition, he will continue to accept orders for merchandise “for a couple of weeks,” he said.