FRANKLIN

The announcement that the Sears Holdings Corporation store at the Chesapeake Square Mall has some customers worried about the future of Franklin’s Sears, said Ann Rosenfeld, who co-owns the store with her husband. But she said the store will not close.

Rosenfeld said that Franklin’s Sears, which is locally owned and operated, would not be affected by any actions of Sears Holdings, as it’s part of a different umbrella, Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc., which separated from Sears Holdings in October 2012.

“Every day we have customers coming in and asking us, ‘Are you closing too?’ I just want our customers to know that we are not going anywhere,” said Rosenfeld, who lives in Southampton County. “We appreciate all of our customers, and we want to reassure them that we are not closing.”

Rosenfeld said that Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores Inc. is an entirely separate public company that has a different executive team, operational team and growth strategy. The local business only uses the Sears name under license and sells merchandise for the company, said co-owners Mickey and Ann Rosenfeld in a release.

“We are honored to be part of the community,” they announced. “We want to let our customers know that we are locally-owned and operated and remain open despite recent announcements from Sears Holdings Corporation.

“We also urge everyone to support our locally-owned and operated business.”

Franklin’s Sears, which has been open since 2007, sells lawn and garden items, appliances, tools, and Rosenfeld said they are able to get anything for customers that Sears sells, such as clothes, shoes, cameras and TVs. It is located at 1317 Armory Drive.

To learn more about Sears Hometown Stores, visit www.searshometownstores.com.