Flag Dispute Forces Hard Decisions For Camping Equipment CEO

American flag waving against a clear blue sky

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis is shutting down his store in Greenville, North Carolina, rather than comply with city ordinances demanding he take down an oversized American flag that officials claim violates local regulations.

Key Insights

Camping World closed its Greenville, NC location after the city council voted to sue over a massive American flag that violates municipal size codes.
CEO Marcus Lemonis, a Lebanese immigrant, refuses to remove the 3,200-square-foot flag on a 130-foot pole, stating he would rather face legal action or jail time than take it down.
Similar flag disputes are occurring at other Camping World locations, including one in Sevierville, Tennessee, where flagpoles are limited to 44 feet.
Evangelist Franklin Graham has publicly supported Lemonis, arguing there should be exceptions for the American flag in city ordinances.

Defiance in the Face of Regulation

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis has consolidated his two Greenville dealerships into one location, effectively closing a store rather than complying with municipal demands to remove or reduce the size of a massive American flag. The flag in question measures 3,200 square feet and flies from a 130-foot pole, significantly exceeding the city’s 70-foot height limitation. The Greenville City Council has already voted to pursue legal action against Lemonis and Camping World for the ongoing violation of local ordinances.

“Not when they sue, not when I lose, not if they take me to jail, the flag is not coming down,” Lemonis said in response to the controversy.

The CEO has been steadfast in his refusal to compromise on what he sees as an important symbol of American values and patriotism. “We think the ordinance is wrong,” Lemonis asserted, adding, “They (the council) should probably do a little research on the statutes in the state of North Carolina.”

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis said he closed one of his locations in North Carolina rather than take down a giant American flag. https://t.co/BstgMkDKXs

— ABC7 Sarasota (@mysuncoast) April 23, 2025

Patriotism vs. Local Regulations

City officials maintain that their concern is not with the American flag itself, but with compliance to established codes. “This has never been about removing an American flag or the type of flag. It is about bringing the flag into compliance with city code,” explained Greenville Communications Manager Brock Letchworth, representing the city’s position. However, this explanation has done little to sway Lemonis, who views the flag as a non-negotiable expression of gratitude to his adopted country.

“These American flags are HUGE—and I love it! The bigger, the better! Shame on the city governments that are trying to sue Camping World and get CEO Marcus Lemonis to take down the American flags he has flying over his businesses,” declared Rev. Franklin Graham in a public statement of support.

The controversy has highlighted a tension between patriotic expression and local governance. At one point, a proposal suggested Lemonis donate $50,000 to Maynard Children’s Hospital in exchange for ordinance changes, a proposition he was willing to consider but not as a direct quid pro quo arrangement. This attempt at compromise ultimately failed to resolve the standoff.

A Pattern of Flag Disputes

The Greenville situation is not isolated. Camping World faces similar challenges in Sevierville, Tennessee, where local regulations limit flagpoles to 44 feet for safety and aesthetic reasons. The company is currently involved in litigation there as well, demonstrating a pattern of conflicts between Camping World’s patriotic display preferences and municipal regulations across multiple locations. For Lemonis, these battles represent something far deeper than mere compliance issues.

“Allow the flag to fly. Allow people to enjoy it. Allow kids in this country to understand what an amazing place they live in,” urged Lemonis, highlighting his perspective as an immigrant who found opportunity in America.

The CEO, who came to the United States from Lebanon, has consistently emphasized that his position stems from personal gratitude and patriotism rather than commercial interests. While the store closure represents a business decision, Lemonis portrays it as a principled stand against what he perceives as an inappropriate limitation on patriotic expression. As legal proceedings continue, the massive flag remains in place—a symbol of both national pride and defiance against local regulation.