Coates RV store leaves area

After being acquired by national retailer Camping World in March, it seemed to be business as usual at the Coates RV showroom in Scanlon. Not anymore. Although it is still filled with all kinds of RVs, campers and fish houses, the Scanlon staff (and soon its inventory) have moved to the Hermantown Gander Outdoors and RV store, which are also owned by Camping World.

Sales associate Matt Juntunen said it's more like Coates RV took over Hermantown Gander store.

"We're selling there; it's our trailers, and our staff. It's just a different logo, but the same people," he told the Pine Knot News Tuesday when he was removing Coates RV signs from campers in the Scanlon lot.

Juntunen said Justin Thompson will still be the general sales manager.

Thomson Township officials confirmed that Camping World purchased all 11 lots owned by Coates RV in the Esko Business Park; Juntunen said he thought the company still plans to build there in the future.