Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/848806
T he former Gander Mountain is ready to move forward this fall with a new name, fresh logo and about 60 stores spread across 19 states. Approximately 68 percent of the go-forward locations, bought out of bankruptcy with renego- tiated leases by new parent Camping World Holdings, will be situated in one of seven states. The majority of those, 21 doors, will be in Wisconsin (eight), Michigan (eight) and Minnesota (five). Publicly traded Camping World intends to construct and open another 45 Gander Outdoors by the end of 2019. Some will have an Overton's, the marine and boating business also acquired out of bankruptcy, alongside. Responding to a recent Twitter inquiry, Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis confirmed the emerging outdoor chain intends to be a national rival to Bass Pro-Cabela's, whose merger has yet to be finalized. In June, Lemonis was in Denver, where he awarded $100,000 to Benten Designs for its winning logo design for Gander Outdoors. Six runner-ups in the contest, which was announced and pro- m o t e d o n T w i t t e r , received $1000 checks from Lemonis. Camping World last month successfully bid on Gander Mountain's assets and its Overton's, Inc. boating business in bankruptcy court. The deal includes an amount equal to cost, which as of the date of the auction was some $15.6 million, plus $22.2 million for certain other assets. "In addition to the locations identified above, we are cur- rently pursuing other locations for expansion and expect to announce additional locations and markets in the near term with all of our Gander Outdoors, Overton's and Camping World offerings," Lemonis said in a statement. He stated his intention of operating stores with a clear path to profitability and Camping World's then current goal to operate 70 or more locations subject to, among other things, the ability to negotiate acceptable lease terms with its landlords. Lemonis stated, "Our original goal was to initially open 70 or more stores, and while our initial list is now less than 70, we are not willing to open stores which we do not believe have a clear path to profitability." — Bob McGee O 6 • Outdoor Insight • August 2017 outdoorinsightmag.com NEWS/ANALYSIS Gander Mountain Is Moving Forward Responding to a Twitter inquiry last week, Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis confirmed the emerging outdoor chain intends to be a national rival to Bass Pro- Cabela's, whose merger has yet to be finalized. Top: The winning logo designer. Above: A sampling of submitted logo designs.

