Update: San Joaquin County decided Thursday, Aug. 8, that the Camping World store’s 130-foot-tall flagpole and the flag can stay up.
Some call it the act of a patriot; others the act of a scofflaw. Regardless of the viewpoint, the facts are that Camping World’s flag is back up over the dealership in French Camp, California. Not a company logo flag, but an American flag, so big it weighs more than 70 pounds. But the flag-flying violates local law.
Dealerships known for their big Stars and Stripes
Many Camping World dealerships around the country are known for flying big ‘”stars and Stripes.” And the dealership in French Camp, south of Stockton on Interstate 5, was flying its big flag for some time. But then the flag came down, and stayed down for three months. An area resident who drives by the dealership regularly spotted the flag down; she got curious and called local media. One thing led to another, and earlier this week, the flag went back up the pole.
Why the flag hiatus? It’s not the flag—it’s the flagpole. Under San Joaquin County ordinances, flag poles taller than 25 feet need a permit. There are also setback regulations; in this case, Camping World’s flagpole could be too close to the interstate. Evidently, local Camping World management decided the flag had to come down while the issue was worked out with the county government.
Lemonis gets word; now Camping World’s flag is up again
But media inquiries to company higher-ups got a quick reaction from Camping World boss, Marcus Lemonis. In an interview with CBS News, Lemonis declared, “The flag is the only thing in my mind that is the symbol of unity.” He was adamant that symbol of unity be restored. Result? Local media was invited to a grand display, and now Camping World’s flag is back up.
Not the company’s first flag flap
It’s not the first flag flap for Lemonis. Back in October 2019, Camping World had to cut a check for violating local ordinances. The company’s Statesville, North Carolina, dealership flew a 40-foot by 80-foot American flag on a 130-foot flagpole. At the time, city code allowed flags up to 25 feet by 40 feet. Lemonis was adamant and continued to fly the out-of-compliance flag.
The matter was finally settled when the Statesville elected officials rezoned the Camping World site, making the giant flag legal. The company was still on the hook for $14,000 in fines for the original law-breaking, plus $2,000 in legal fees.
Marcus Lemonis’ viewpoint hasn’t changed. Over in French Camp, he says the flag will stay put. “I’m going to keep it up, I know the county may want to fine us and do things that are negative in nature,” Lemonis told CBS. “They are rooted deeply into the ground, we have hundreds of them all over, that isn’t how it works.”
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Camping World flag flap finished
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Too bad he doesn’t get that cranked up over customer satisfaction and getting warranty work done in a timely manner and right the first time.
Apparently he believes he is above the law. When he opened these places, I’m sure he was to abide by the local zoning laws. He decided not to.
Flying the flag is not a problem and it’s nice to see them. But, ignoring the local laws is a problem.
I really doubt if he puts up the flags as Patriotic gesture. It’s more of a “I’M HERE” symbol.
We had a new major brewery open near us. They have a huge flag flying, but they had to get permission from the zoning board because of the height of the pole and the size of the flag. Plus, the owners do a lot for the local community and the people who live there.
You know he is aware of all the codes in the area. He had to meet a myriad of codes to be able to locate and open his building and parking lots. This is a case of his ego getting in the way of his ego. He’d rather pay fines than pay attention to his customers.
it is possible that the zoning laws, like many, is not well thought through. Govt is filled with the same flawed humans as everywhere but also has the power to create a bunch of nonsensical laws. Blind adherence to all laws is just as bad as ignoring some silly laws might be imo.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Nothing more to say. Bob, KellyR, and Mikal nailed it. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂
It might be a little more inspiring if it weren’t coming from a company known for screwing their customers six ways to Sunday.
This is probably a stint to get free advertising. Some customers not knowing Camping Worlds sales tactics and poor service reputation at many of his businesses get drawn in to purchase RV’s.
Then they should be intelligent enough to do their due diligence research.
“San Joaquin County said in a statement that the flagpole at this location exceeded the height permissible without a building permit. However, they denied asking Camping World to remove the flag itself.
The county also said that after a review, a building permit would be issued for the flagpole on Thursday.”
The one responsible for gathering permits and building accordingly to local regulation is the contractor hired to construct the facility not the end user. Regardless, there’s no reason to condemn CW for flying the American flag. Condemn the ordinance if it’s stupid or the company that planted the pole but not the one’s putting the flag in the air.
It’s sad that the word quality is not a rule for most of the RV manufacturers or for Camping World. It’s get them sold and get their money and then ignore them when they are asked to make their mistakes right. It’s just plain greed.
Irrelevant to THIS particular article.
I don’t mind the flags, even though the size of those at Camping World is a bit garish in my mind. The problem I have is camping world ignoring the permit process. Permits are there for the safety of everyone, including people driving down the interstate, who’d rather not have a flag pole fall on their car. I for one wouldn’t take Marcus Lemonis’s word for it that they are “deeply rooted in the ground”. I’d want an unbiased inspector checking that. At the end of the day, he’s taking shortcuts, which sure seems like a pattern for him.
The title to this article is just click bait. Violation of the law is not the same as a code violation. The police / sheriff are not coming for the store manager because of a code violation. Most city or counties have many codes that may be up the the building inspector and what his opinion is. I not standing behind camping world, but don’t like misinformation to get me to read an article.
Marcus was born in Beirut, Lebanon.
He has worked hard and is very proud to fly the largest American flag….and there are still issues.
I am not a fan of Camping World, but I do support Marcus in this area.
Your dislike of CW is showing unflatteringly.
I wish Lemonis would take some of his time acquiring free press with the Flag to apply some quality to his products that would underscore the “Made in the USA” label.
90% of below is just good ol’ BS. What special knowledge do they have to comment on a situation described in an article written under such a misleadingly applied headline? We have no real facts to go by, so I guess jumping on the anti CW train must just feel good.
I think the #1 reason for the big flags is advertising for the stores. When every Camping World has them, they make it easy to associate with CW, and spot the store quite a ways away. He’d never be allowed to put up a sign that high.
If it’s also for patriotism, I’m sure he’s grateful that he, and people as rich as he is, pay so little income tax.
How do you know how much or little income tax he pays? Kinda of a childish comment.
I think there should be MORE American flags flying…to remind people what that flag means! The bigger the better! 🇺🇸