The Sears outlet in Steinbach has survived a major store closing announcement. Sears announced Thursday it is closing 59 locations and cutting about 2,900 jobs across Canada as part of an arrangement to get court-approved protection from creditors. Don Neufeld, owner of Sears in Steinbach, says his store has been spared.

"Our store is still going to remain open at this time. We don't know exactly what type of politics is being played. We do know one thing and that is, as of last Friday, our suppliers quit supplying us with goods. But as of Wednesday at around 5:15 p.m., there were numerous suppliers that came to the table and, with what has happened, are now supplying goods to Sears because they are now protected as far as getting paid for their supplies."

Neufeld adds he is somewhat optimistic about the future.

"We know that it's a short-term thing right now but I think that, obviously, as the courts are going to see that there are some changes made and, if they can all of a sudden turn it into somewhat of a profit situation, the thing is going to go forward because there are still a lot of people with a lot of funds and a lot of money behind this company."