Amid controversy and financial problems, Moose Jaw will be losing the Sears store in the Town 'N' Country Mall.

The move was announced Thursday morning as Sears applied for, and was granted, protection from creditors. It means the company will have 30 days to implement a restructuring plan that will include $450 in interim financing from lenders. A reported 2900 jobs will be cut across the country as a result.

59 stores were on the closure list nationwide, with Sears locations in Regina, Melville and Prince Albert joining Moose Jaw on the list of Saskatchewan stores affected. 

In total. 20 of the closures are "full" Sears stores, 15 Sears Home Stores, 10 outlet stores and 14 Sears Hometown stores. 

Shares in Sears were halted in trading Thursday morning.