08/02/2022
Dear Fitness 1440 Members,
In September 2019 we purchased the Fitness 1440 franchise from the previous owners Jennifer Chandler and Jason Alles. This became a dream of mine after I lost over 100 lbs and saw the benefits of a healthy lifestyle in my own life. I had also spent the year prior as a personal trainer, enjoying the feeling of seeing my clients make progress and become happier and healthier.
The following February is when we started to see revenue fall and cancellations rise due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. After the state of Georgia shut us down for a month in April of 2020, we immediately began applying for every bit of government assistance that was made available to small business owners. We utilized that money to keep the business operating until it ran out in February of 2021. In July of 2021 I was hospitalized for a month; at this time, my partner Andrea stepped up to run the day-to-day during my recovery. In October of 2021 we took out a business loan to try and catch up our back rent. In February of this year we had to take out another.
Also beginning in February of this year three Crunch Fitness big box gyms opened within 10 miles of us, in Marietta, Acworth, and Hiram. A triangle with our small family gym right in the middle.
The past three years of the Covid-19 pandemic have been very challenging for everyone. The fitness industry was and still is one of the hardest hit in our economy. We have seen small gyms closing left and right in the past year since Crunch expanded into our area. Our small family business is no longer able to compete in the Dallas market. We had hoped to sell the gym to a new owner, but in speaking with our broker, the chances of anyone buying it were very slim considering our current sales and the heavy competition in this market.
Last week we had a buyer surface from Fitness:1440 corporate, and at the last minute this morning the landlord refused to cooperate, even though the buyer had the cash in hand to pay the back rent. He has chosen to evict us instead.
Therefore, it is with heavy hearts that we have to announce the closing of our doors as of noon, tomorrow, August 2nd. We wanted to be sure we let our members know as soon as possible in case you have any personal items left in lockers. We will not be staffed after noon tomorrow. We are planning to have regular morning classes if instructors are available, but there will be no evening classes.
All customer billing will be ceased after tonight. We only have enough cash on hand to meet our final payroll. Therefore, unfortunately there is nothing available for refunds. Any claims will have to be part of the bankruptcy.
Keycard access to the club will be ended at noon on August 2nd as well.
Thanks so much to all of you who have been our fitness family. Also a big thanks to our management, front desk, child care, trainers, and instructors who have made it possible to serve you this long.
You will all be greatly missed.
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Brandon and Andrea Wilkinson