Gander Mountain liquidates, future of Joliet store unclear

JOLIET – Gander Mountain is having a store closing sale in Joliet, but it's not clear whether the store is closing.

St. Paul-based Gander Mountain last week announced closing sales at all of its remaining stores.

But company assets are in the process of being sold to Camping World, which announced Monday that it plans to keep 70 of the Gander Mountain stores open, although the format may change.

Lincolnshire-based Camping World acquired Gander Mountain Co. and its Overton's boating business in a bankruptcy auction April 27 and April 28.

Camping World Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis in a written statement Monday said the company plans to operate 70 or more Gander Mountain locations depending on ability to negotiate acceptable lease terms with building owners and approval from the bankruptcy court.

A company spokeswoman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lemonis has been tweeting a list of stores that Camping World apparently has decided to keep open. As of late Monday afternoon, Joliet was not on the list.

In the meantime, Gander Mountain is liquidating inventory at all 126 of its remaining locations.

"The current liquidation of the existing Gander Mountain inventory will allow us to start with a clean slate of what we consider the appropriate mix and level of inventory, including the addition of Camping World and Overton's offerings where appropriate," Lemonis said in the statement.

Camping World operates 125 stores in 36 states, specializing in the sale of recreational vehicles and RV parts and accessories. The company has one Illinois store in Wauconda. Camping World had a store in Bolingbrook that closed several years ago.