GREENVILLE — Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis has shut down one of his locations in North Carolina amid a heated dispute over the size of the American flags flying outside. The store, located in Greenville, was closed April 18 after city leaders sued Lemonis over the size of the flags, which they claim violate city ordinances.
Lemonis has been defiant in his refusal to take down the flags, citing state law and arguing that the city’s ordinance is unconstitutional. The flags, which are almost the size of a basketball court, span 3,200 square feet and have a pole that is 130 feet tall.
The controversy has sparked a heated debate in the local community, with some residents supporting the flags as a symbol of patriotism and others opposing them as a potential distraction or disruption.
“We think the ordinance is wrong,” Lemonis said. “(The council) should probably do a little research on the statutes in the state of North Carolina.”
Lemonis said he has been actively working with the city to resolve the issue, but no agreement has been reached. He has proposed making a $50,000 donation to Maynard Children’s Hospital in Greenville in lieu of fines, and with the agreement, the council would change the ordinance to allow his flags.
However, Lemonis has clarified that he does not want the donation to be seen as a quid pro quo in exchange for the change in ordinance. He has stated that he would prefer to make the donation as a gesture of goodwill rather than as a condition for changing the ordinance.
The controversy surrounding the giant American flags has been ongoing for several months, with Camping World also being sued by other municipalities across the country over the size of the flags. Some have been rallying around the CEO and showing their support.
