Late last week, the liquidation of Gander Mountain stores across the country began in the wake of the outdoor retailer's bankruptcy filing and subsequent acquisition by Camping World.
Now, the star of a CNBC show who purchased Gander Mountain assets in bankruptcy court, is hoping to keep at least 70 of the chain's 126 locations open, according to a USA Today report on Monday.
Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC's The Profit, said on Twitter as late as Sunday night that he plans to stand by his pledge to keep many of the hunting and fishing chain's stores open. Lemonis is CEO of Camping World.
"About 10 days ago I bought all of the assets, all of the intellectual property, all of the trademarks, all of the leases," he said in an interview on Sunday morning. "A liquidator bought the inventory that's in the stores and they have the right to sell that inventory down."
He added, however, "Ultimately we control the leases ... every single property. And my intention is to keep at least 70 open."
Gander Mountain’s website currently features a large digital banner promoting the chain’s nationwide liquidation sale.
In his role on ‘The Profit’, Lemonis invests in real, but distressed, businesses around the country and then attempts to turn them around, often butting heads with the management in the process. When it comes to Gander Mountain, Lemonis said he doesn't mind starting over with all new merchandise.
"We want to help the liquidators sell their inventory,” he said. “We don't want to be disruptive to that, but we also don't want employees thinking that they're all losing their jobs. I am definitely going to protect my people at all costs. No matter what."
To read the complete report, click here.
