Camping World Expands to Sidney

Monday afternoon any rumors or hopes of the next business interest in Sidney became official as the CEO of Camping World RV & Outdoors announced plans to open a location in Sidney.

Marcus Lemonis, chief executive officer of Camping World, announced Monday evening his intent to open and distribution center and a retail location in Sidney. The announcement was made at a reception at Beans & Steams Coffee House.

Lemonis quickly said he is planting his flag in Sidney, metaphorically and as grand as can be. He said he likes flags, big flags, and intends on flying a large American flag at the new location planned to be a 14-acre plot near Walmart.

Lemonis said Camping World is finalizing a deal for a warehouse, a former distribution center building northwest of Sidney. The appearance of the local will partly depend on negotiations with Bass Pro CEO Johnny Morris.

Lemonis said considering Sidney started when the company outgrew its Bakersfield, Calif., distribution site.

“We are going to put our flag here,” he said.

He said in order to be successful, a company needs to know its community. He wants to build with the town of Sidney.

“We want to be the best,” he said.

He said the goal is to add about 200 new jobs to the Sidney economy.

“The talent pool in this town — it is second to none,” he said.

Lemonis said he thinks there is room in Sidney for more than just Bass Pro/Cabela's.

The company has signed an agreement for a warehouse previously occupied by Cabela's.