Country Camper, a Vermont-based, family-owned RV dealership in its 25th year of business, is coming to Newtown. The company announced July 6 that after searching throughout Connecticut for the location of its next facility, its owners selected a long-vacant industrial site near the Sand Hill Plaza.

The company currently has locations in East Montpelier, Vermont, and in Epsom, New Hampshire, where it specializes in selling new and used RVs.

Country Camper is partnering with Claris Construction LLC to begin building a state-of-the-art RV dealership at 201 South Main Street. Signs for both businesses were placed near the property’s driveway on July 1.

Philip Clark, president and CEO of Claris Construction LLC, told The Newtown Bee on July 2, “Claris was pleased to be chosen as the architects and builders of Country Camper’s Newtown location.”

“They looked at a number of towns to locate their facility, but they settled on Newtown because of the amazing reception they received from the town Economic Development Commission, the First Selectmen’s office, and all the townspeople that got involved to get us to this point,” Clark added. “It’s exciting to finally get started, and we should be breaking ground next week. The project should be completed [by] the first quarter of 2022. It’s always great to build in our hometown.”

The roughly 22-acre property was previously occupied by Georgia Pacific, then BlueLinx — the latter of which had its structure’s roof collapse just over a decade ago. The property has been vacant since, and the remaining structures were cleared a few years ago.

Service Bays, Delivery Pads

Country Camper plans to construct a 31,000-square-foot facility that will include 14 service bays, large parts display areas, and additional delivery pads, according to a recent press release.

The site will house hundreds of recreational vehicles, including — but not limited to — brands such as Grand Design RV, Rockwood, Forest River, Keystone, Xtreme Outdoors, and Winnebago Motorhomes.

Country Camper is anticipated to be a destination point, drawing people in from throughout Connecticut and surrounding states who are shopping for an RV.

Seeing the benefits of such a business for the community, the Newtown Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed to a local business incentive program application in March for Country Camper, per the Newtown Economic Development Commission’s recommendation. The Board of Finance gave its approval of the business incentive on March 25.

Country Camper Owner Logan Gregoire, whose parents, Layne and Cindy Gregoire, established the business in 1996, released a statement about the Newtown location saying, “We are thrilled to continue our expansion and increase our regional footprint. Our customer base is growing rapidly, and this store will boost our capacity to provide excellent service as well as the best brands available in the RV industry. We are executing a strategic growth plan that will allow us to better serve our customers and increase our market share.”

Positive Reactions

First Selectman Dan Rosenthal told The Newtown Bee July 2 he was excited to receive the news.

“As an already successful family-run business in Vermont and New Hampshire, I expect Country Camper will integrate quickly and seamlessly with our strong small business community and be welcomed by our entire community,” he said. “The investment they are making in the former Blue Linx property is a significant one and will serve to enhance the entire area and complement many of our existing businesses.”

Rosenthal noted that a great amount of work went into making this happen and gave thanks to George Benson, director of planning for the Land Use Agency; Christal Preszler, deputy director of economic and community development for Newtown; the Economic Development Commission and its chairman Wes Thompson; as well as the Board of Selectmen, Board of Finance, Legislative Council, Inland Wetlands Commission, and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

“Positive results like this don’t happen by accident, it’s people working together for the benefit of our town,” Rosenthal said.

That same day, Preszler, who led multiple presentations this year for the different town boards about the benefits of the business for the community, said that she is “so happy” that Country Camper has chosen to open its latest location in Newtown.

“I have spoken with so many people who are excited to check out the facility, browse the campers, and even check out new jobs that should come as a result of the upcoming opening,” she said.

Creating New Jobs

Preszler noted in the March 25 Board of Finance meeting that Country Camper anticipates 15 to 45 jobs will be available at the location over time.

“It continues to be a pleasure working with Layne and Logan from Country Camper,” Preszler added. “This really is a win for the community. A long vacant yet previously developed property will soon have a fabulous destination, drawing people from hundreds of miles away, allowing them to experience what a special community Newtown is.”

Thompson also weighed in on the news, telling The Newtown Bee on July 3 that Newtown is “very fortunate” to have Country Camper expand their business here.

“They are a great company with a long history of community involvement at their other locations,” Thompson said. “They are making a significant investment in a new facility, which will create both short-term construction and long-term operational jobs, as well as add vitality to South Main Street.”

He continued, “History indicates that they will attract customers from at least a 100-mile radius who will not only visit their place of business but explore other places in town. They are a destination and [an] economic driver, and a welcome addition to our business community.”

To learn more about the company and its products and services, visit countrycamper.com.

Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.