Campers Unlimited opens Oxford location

Oct. 13—OXFORD — Campers Unlimited, a Gadsden company specializing in sales and servicing of new and used campers, has opened a new location at 2029 Oxford Exchange Boulevard.

Company founder Brian Ledbetter, joined by staff, customers and local leaders, cut the ribbon Friday during a ceremony facilitated by the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce.

"We knew this was a great market and a great city. There's no question about that," Ledbetter told The Anniston Star after the ceremony. "We talked about it for two or three years before initiating with any discussions."

The official announcement of the Oxford location came in January 2022.

Ledbetter, who founded the company in 2010, said strong business activity at its Gadsden location and the pandemic slowed the process which led to Friday's ceremony.

"I got to looking around, saw the city had this location and reached out to them," he said. "Mayor [Alton] Craft was very welcoming of the idea and helped work something out with us."

Ledbetter described the current camper market as "solid."

"There are some 'big boys' here in the local market, but they are just too busy to do what we do," he said, referring to the company's focus on creating relationships with its customers.

"We specialize in taking care of customers after the sale," said general manager Scott Shropshire. "We are laser focused on having a low-pressure experience with people coming in for sales and carry that over into our service department."

Shropshire said the location provides a sales staff, service department and office personnel — many who have worked with the company for more than a decade.

"Everybody here is all local," said sales manager Bill Wright, "so we know most everybody in this community."

City Councilman Mike Henderson was on hand to welcome the business on behalf of the city.

"The city of Oxford is extremely excited to have Campers Unlimited here," Henderson said. "We appreciate your decision to open a facility in Oxford and are looking forward to you having great success here."

State Sen. Keith Kelley, R-Anniston, called the company's expansion "helping to grow Alabama."

"I welcome you here because you are making Alabama grow," Kelley said. "One of the wonderful things is you are here at the foothills of Cheaha Mountain and what a great place to have a camper facility."

Kelley also said camping brings families together which forms strong communities.

"There is nothing better than camping to bring a family together and help them stay together," he said. "That can last from generation to generation and you provide the vehicles that can help do that."

Campers Unlimited's grand opening will run through Saturday when the location hosts a car show and food trucks during its regular Saturday hours from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The location is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and closed on Sundays.

Staff Writer Brian Graves: 256-236-1551.