Gander Outdoors planned in former Gander Mountain location

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GREENFIELD — A new store for hunters, shooters, campers and all other outdoorsy types is coming to Greenfield.

The building at 2175 Barrett Drive, which once housed Gander Mountain, is slated to become a Gander Outdoors store in mid March, said manager John Keefe.

And the company is accepting applications for part- and full-time positions at the new location.

At a community gathering Tuesday, Greenfield Mayor Chuck Fewell hinted new development could becoming to the storefront that’s been empty since early summer.

Keefe posted about the development on Facebook recently, encouraging residents to apply for open positions.

Keefe, a native of Hancock County, hopes to spend the next few months staffing the store with knowledgeable people who care about the community as much as he does. He expects to hire 60 employees.

Pay starts at $12.25 an hour plus other incentives. Jobs posted on the company’s website include sales associates, product specialists and seasonal help.

Corporate representatives contacted the planning and building director’s office last month requesting permit procedures for opening a new store in the location, Fewell told the Daily Reporter.

Camping World, an RV and outdoor gear retailer, purchased the rights to Gander Mountain in a bankruptcy buyout last year, said CEO of Camping World Marcus Lemonis in an open letter to customers. In the liquidation process, Camping World gained control of many Gander Mountain buildings and the website.

Many of the stores, including the Greenfield location, will open again as the re-branded “Gander Outdoors,” a new company with new ownership and a new mission, he said.

All of Gander Outdoors’ retail locations will sell gear for hunting, shooting, fishing, camping and other equipment for outdoor sports and activities. They will sell used and new firearms and will also offer gunsmith services.

As part of the new brand, Gander Outdoors customers can expect to find differences in customer service and product selection, Keefe said.

The company is adding a action sports department that will be filled with bicycles, skateboards, long boards, paddle boats and more, he said.

City leaders and residents were upset to see Gander Mountain leave the community, said Greenfield Area Chamber of Commerce president Retta Livengood. After the loss of a large retailer, it’s exciting to see a similar outlet move in to take its place, she said.

“We’ve all been waiting with bated breath to see what would go there after Gander Mountain left,” Livengood said.

Hopefully Gander Outdoors will become a player in the community’s efforts to be more active, Livengood said.

Across the county, leaders are encouraging residents to be more active by expanding trails and parks. Gander Outdoors could play a key role in that effort, she said.

“This is a retail situation that hopefully speaks to the spirit of our community to try and get outside more,” Livengood added. “I hope they fit in well and become invested in who and what our community is.”