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Sears' parts store at 3130 Crater Lake Ave., Medford, will cease operations on Oct. 25. The closure is one of 48 nationwide, including 13 on the West Coast, said Mike Beugli, manager of Sears' retail store in the Medford Center, which will remain open. The parts store occupies about one-third of the 10,000-square-foot Sears Service Center, which includes a retail warehouse. Beugli said four affected employees may be assimilated into the store's retail or warehouse operations. The parts store, which primarily catered to do-it-yourself clients, has about 5,000 pieces of merchandise, ranging from reconditioned lawn mowers to chainshaw screws, from duct tape to tractor tune-up kits. "They've already started reducing prices and will continue aggressive markdowns to liquidate the merchandise," Beugli said. "It's kind of like a garage sale." What doesn't get sold will be shipped to one of three Portland parts shops that will continue operations, as will Salem and Springfield locations. After Oct. 25, customers will have the option of going online to sears.com or calling 800-366-7278 to order parts. Customers seeking warranty work will have the option of bringing items to the retail store or service center. "Normally, in towns such as Roseburg, which hasn't had a parts store in eons, people simply bring them to retail stores," Beugli said. "Because people are used to taking their merchandise to that location, we'll continue to have an access point at both stores." Sears will continue running its service and warehouse operations from Crater Lake Avenue. "The most confusing part, even for Sears employees, is understanding the difference between our service department and parts department," Beugli said. Sears technicians will continue handling calls for appliances as well as lawn and garden item repairs. Until Oct. 25, the parts store will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. It's closed on Sundays. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail [email protected].