Greg Gerber posted on October 10, 2008 05:33
HAMBURG, N.Y. -- It looks like the struggling economy is costing more jobs here. WIVB reporter Lorey Schultz went to Camping World where there are many large recreational vehicles, many which will be moved out of there soon because this location is closing.
Employees were told Monday that this location would be consolidated with its three existing Camping Worlds in western New York, including one in Rochester.
David McMahon says the teetering economy was in part to blame. "Dealers across the country aren't doing well. RVs in New York State were up 30 percent, we were doing very well. We could just not pay for this load, its way to big for the market right now and by consolidating it other people in New York State will have their jobs."
The consolidation will affect 45 employees. Managers have said all have been offered opportunities to transfer to other stores across the county. But still, it's tough.
"It was like letting your brother go, but they are going to have other opportunities across the country and we are going to remain friends," said McMahon.
Customers say the closing of this store is a huge inconvenience. To offset travel costs to other locations the company is offering free gift certificates.
Right now there's just a skeleton crew working at Camping World. But mainly they're doing repair work on about 80 coaches. Employees are just not sure what they're going to do.
SOURCE: WIVB-TV