Final sales up to 75% as popular outdoor retailer with 185 stores shuts location and customers say it's a 'bad idea'

A MAJOR camping and outdoor retailer has announced it is shutting a location for good.

Camping World said it will shut its Hermantown, Minnesota location on October 20, 2023.

Hermantown, a Duluth suburb, is known for its recreational vehicles and camping gear.

The store is having clearance sales of up to 75 percent on many items, a store employee confirmed.

It is unclear what motivated the decision to close the location, which was formerly a location of the now-defunct Gander Mountain retail chain, Northern News Now reported.

The U.S. Sun reached out to Camping World’s corporate office for comment.

CUSTOMERS REACT

Some shoppers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their feelings on the store closure.

One loyal customer reminisced about the store’s opening.

“They gave out free donuts,” they said. “Later they gave me a free bucket when I signed up for their rewards system. Good times.”

Another customer seemed to question the retail giant’s business strategy.

“Such a bad idea,” they posted.

The store closure leaves a hole in the chain’s coverage of northern Minnesota. The next closest Camping World location is in Baxter, Minnesota, over 100 miles away. 

However, there are several other RV retailers across the Duluth area.

For other camping supplies, there is a Dick’s Sporting Goods and several other outdoor retailers in Duluth.

OTHER CLOSURES

Camping World is not the only retailer shedding stores this fall. 

Shoe retailer Atmos is closing all of its locations in the US, choosing to focus on developing its Asian markets.

Footlocker bought the company in 2021, opening three stores in the US.

The stores in New York City, Washington DC, and Philadelphia will all be shut by the Japanese company.

KFC recently closed several locations abruptly in Louisiana.

Eight restaurants there shut their doors, with some employees saying they received no notice.

Customers and employees alike found out about the closures from notes on restaurant doors.

A Burger King in North Dakota abruptly closed a location with a hastily scribbled note.

A grocery chain closed a store after not meeting its financial expectations.