Gander Mountain, a 33-year old company, is an outdoor sporting goods retailer specializing in hunting, fishing, camping gear and outdoor apparel headquartered in Minneapolis. The company currently operates 63 stores in nine states.

Building plans have been filed with the City of Novi and it is expected that Gander Mountain will open in spring 2004.

"We are pleased that Gander Mountain chose West Oaks as their first location in Michigan for their superstore concept. It will be an excellent addition to the shopping center," says Dennis Gershenson, Ramco's president and CEO. "The format features a wide assortment of outdoor sporting goods at favorable prices as well as expanded service departments. Gander Mountain will offer a fresh shopping alternative in a marketplace that currently features an array of popular retail destinations."

Other additions to West Oaks include a 25,000-sf Home Goods store and a 30,000-sf Michaels arts and crafts store, filling the vacant Service Merchandise space. A new 6,500-sf Carrabba's Italian Grill restaurant was added in the spring.

The West Oaks shopping center is at the northwest intersection of Novi Road and I-96. It sits directly across from Twelve Oaks Mall, one of the largest super regional shopping centers in the metropolitan Detroit market.

Due to its proximity to the mall, the trade area for the shopping center is currently estimated to be in excess of 367,000 people and is expected to grow 6.5% over the next four years. The city has an average household income level topping $100,000.