The owner of the Austin Sears Hometown Store said Friday that he — and hundreds of the other owners of independent Sears Hometown Stores — will continue to sell Whirlpool appliances, despite media reports on Oct. 24.

“I am an independent local business and have operated the Austin Sears Hometown Store for 15 years,” said owner Cory Squier. “Our store operates under an agreement with Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, and they are the source for the merchandise we sell with many direct relationships in many product categories. Whirlpool is one of those brands.”

Squier was responding to reports about the end of the Sears and Whirlpool relationship — but that does not affect his or the 700 other independent Sears Hometown Stores.

“We are a separate entity entirely” from Sears, he emphasized. “I just want to let everyone know that the Austin Sears continues to offer the Whirlpool family of brands. We are an independent retailer who licenses the Sears brand name. Our Whirlpool products are sourced directly. The Whirlpool brand is here to stay.”