Legal Dispute Over Flag Shuts Down Camping World Store

American flag waving against a dramatic cloudy sky

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis has closed a Greenville, North Carolina store rather than comply with local regulations requiring him to remove a massive American flag, insisting he’ll face jail time before taking down the patriotic symbol.

Key Takeaways

Marcus Lemonis closed a Camping World location in Greenville, NC, rather than remove a 3,200-square-foot American flag that violates city code.
The flag flies on a 130-foot pole, far exceeding the city’s 70-foot limit, resulting in fines and legal action from local officials.
Lemonis, a Lebanese immigrant, views the oversized flags as symbols of patriotism and gratitude to America, stating “the flag is not coming down” regardless of consequences.
Similar flag disputes are occurring at other Camping World locations, including Sevierville, Tennessee, where the company faces another lawsuit.
The controversy has drawn support from prominent figures like evangelist Franklin Graham, who believes American flags should be exempt from size restrictions.

Businessman Takes Stand Against Flag Regulations

Camping World CEO Marcus Lemonis has shuttered one of his Greenville, North Carolina locations amid an escalating dispute with city officials over an oversized American flag. The massive 3,200-square-foot flag, flying from a 130-foot pole, significantly exceeds local regulations that limit flagpoles to 70 feet. Rather than comply with demands to remove the flag, Lemonis has consolidated operations to another Greenville location while maintaining his refusal to take down the patriotic display.

“Not when they sue, not when I lose, not if they take me to jail, the flag is not coming down,” declared Lemonis in his unwavering stance against city officials demanding compliance with local ordinances.

The Greenville City Council voted to pursue legal action against Lemonis and Camping World after repeated violations of local code. City spokesperson Brock Letchworth clarified the city’s position, stating, “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.”

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

Lebanese Immigrant Defends American Symbol

Lemonis, who was born in Beirut, Lebanon and adopted by an American couple, has emphasized that his commitment to displaying oversized American flags stems from deep patriotism and gratitude. He argues that the flags represent freedom and opportunity that he personally experienced as an immigrant to the United States. In response to the legal challenges, Lemonis has maintained that the city ordinance itself is flawed and potentially contradicts North Carolina state laws.

“We think the ordinance is wrong,” Lemonis stated firmly. “They (the council) should probably do a little research on the statutes in the state of North Carolina.”

The controversy has attracted support from prominent religious leader Franklin Graham, who publicly backed Lemonis in the dispute. “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,” Graham wrote in support of the display.

Recurring Pattern of Flag Disputes

The Greenville location isn’t the only Camping World embroiled in flag-related legal battles. A similar dispute is playing out in Sevierville, Tennessee, where local ordinances restrict flagpoles to 44 feet. City officials there cited both safety concerns and aesthetic considerations in their enforcement actions. Lemonis, however, remains resolute across all locations, viewing these conflicts as battles worth fighting for patriotic principles.

“Allow the flag to fly. Allow people to enjoy it. Allow kids in this country to understand what an amazing place they live in,” Lemonis urged, framing the issue as one of national pride rather than regulatory compliance.

Before closing the Greenville location, Lemonis had offered to donate $50,000 to Maynard Children’s Hospital in exchange for changes to the ordinance. He specifically noted this wasn’t intended as a quid pro quo arrangement but rather as a gesture of community support. The city ultimately proceeded with legal action despite this offer, leading to Lemonis’s decision to consolidate his two Greenville locations rather than remove the flag.

For now, the massive stars and stripes continues to fly over the closed Camping World location, becoming a visible symbol of the tension between local regulations and expressions of patriotism that continues to resonate with many Americans who view flag size restrictions as government overreach against a cherished national symbol.