The Sears store in our nearby mall is clearing everything out, 30-70% off inventory. Ironically, their ads also say they're hiring for the upcoming season. (?) When they're gone, the mall is going to have only a Penney's and Macy's and then the usual cheesy mall stores.
My family traditionally bought Kenmore appliances, and I still use my Kenmore boat anchor, er, sewing machine from 1977. It'll never die. We also usually shopped for Craftsman tools, although the quality seems to have declined in recent years.
Too bad. I had similar catalog dreams like some of you had, too.