Fear & Loading: Gander Outdoors Openings with Different Stock

Camping World, which purchased financially struggling Gander Mountain last year, has begun reopening select stores across the nation as Gander Outdoors. The moves are proceeding on schedule with plans announced by the company last fall.

On March 3, the Winston-Salem, N.C., outlet will hold a grand re-opening at 1950 South Stratford Road. The 42,000-square-foot building will operate with more than 70 part-time employees and full-time staff.

The same day, in South Carolina, the North Charleston location will also reopen its doors. The 39,000-square-foot store is located at 7800 Rivers Avenue #1500 and employs 55 full and part-time staff members.

Festivities start at both locations at 9 a.m. Free pastries and coffee will be available in the morning, with hot dogs and chips provided later by a local Boy Scout Troop from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Kids will have a chance to paint a lure from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or build a duck call from 1 to 3 p.m. Drawings for Gander Outdoors gift cards will be conducted throughout the day and customers will receive a gift with purchase.

The 57,000-square foot location in Onalaska, Wis., opened on Feb. 24. Fifty people are employed at that retail location. Future grand re-openings and locations can be found on the company website.

Firearm enthusiasts will also discover a different selection, too. Silent Legion’s high-performance suppressors—the Model SL-RF Rimfire, Model SL-5R Direct Thread 5.56 mm, Model SL-MC Complete Multi Caliber Kit, and the Model SL-30 Direct Thread .30 caliber—are now available at the retailer. “We’re pleased to be supplying Gander Outdoors with our superior products,” said Ed Schoppman, Silent Legion founder. “We were impressed at how selective they were about which suppressor brands to carry in their stores, and we’re looking forward to equipping their sales people with the very best in suppression performance. It’s a winning combo that’s sure to make for a lot of happy campers.”