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COREBODY Decatur shutting its doors

Business Decatur

COREBODY Decatur shutting its doors

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Photo obtained via Facebook

Photo obtained via Facebook

COREBODY Decatur, a gym on West Howard Avenue that’s been in business for over a decade, is closing its doors.

The business will close at the end of January, according to the company’s Facebook page.

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“The business isn’t sustainable going forward at our current location given the limits on space and parking,” the Facebook post says. “Those limits made growing the business hard, even though costs kept growing, chiefly related to fixed costs such as the terms of our lease, HVAC, etc. After 13 years at this location, this business model no longer works at this location with the restrictions on parking and space.”

The company says it sought out other locations, but couldn’t find a landlord willing to rent the space.

“We explored relocating several times in the past 5 years to find a location with more square footage and parking. Unfortunately, of the few locations that might have worked within 2-3 miles, landlords have little interest in independent retailers,” the company says. “Even with a strong reputation, a perfect track record of more than a decade paying rent on time, and loyal customers such as COREBODY, landlords want national franchises. Anyone in the retail business knows how hard it is to be an independent retailer.”

Here is the full message:

Dear COREBODY Community

We are sorry to say that after 13 years, COREBODY will be closing at the end of January. We will operate as usual, regular hours, with classes and training every day until we close at 7pm on Sunday, January 31st, 2016. Many of you have been with us for years! We hope you will support the staff, trainers and instructors by working out at COREBODY until the end on January 31st, so we can all have a joyful holiday and final month at COREBODY.

When we began this journey, we had no idea how many relationships and friendships would develop and grow within the COREBODY community as so many gathered to get or stay fit – and have fun at the same time. COREBODY would not be the place it is without your support.

What does this mean for members?

• If you are a member with dues automatically drafted month to month, your final membership payment for January will be less as it will pro-rated depending on your billing date, and will end on January 31. You will not pay for any days beyond January 31. For example, if you are billed on the 17 of the month, on January 17 you will only be billed for the last 14 days of January (31 days minus 17 days = 14 days). So, if your monthly fee is $ 50, it will be $ 22.50 for the last 14 days of January ($ 50 x 14 days divided by 31 days = $22.50). That will happen automatically, and be your last payment.

• Come work out until we close at 7pm on January 31. We will be open regular hours, trainers training clients, instructors teaching classes, operating just as we have until 7pm Sunday January 31.

Why is COREBODY Decatur closing?

The business isn’t sustainable going forward at our current location given the limits on space and parking. Those limits made growing the business hard, even though costs kept growing, chiefly related to fixed costs such as the terms of our lease, HVAC, etc. After 13 years at this location, this business model no longer works at this location with the restrictions on parking and space.

Could COREBODY move to another location?

We explored relocating several times in the past 5 years to find a location with more square footage and parking. Unfortunately, of the few locations that might have worked within 2-3 miles, landlords have little interest in independent retailers. Even with a strong reputation, a perfect track record of more than a decade paying rent on time, and loyal customers such as COREBODY, landlords want national franchises. Anyone in the retail business knows how hard it is to be an independent retailer.

Is there anything I need to do or can do?

• For the staff, instructors and trainers, the most helpful thing is to show up – to stay fit, help support the staff until their last day, and say thanks to the instructors by attending classes – nothing would make them happier and help keep the staff whole. We are working with staff and trainers to help them find new homes.

• Regarding your bill, per above, it will be pro-rated to reflect only the remaining days in January for your last payment by the billing company in Houston, and then cease, so you don’t need to do anything to close your account.

Those of you who take classes may know that many of our instructors also teach at other facilities – in midtown, at the Y in Decatur, in Northlake, etc. For those of you who train with the best personal trainers around, each of them will have different plans which they can tell you about and we will update here in a few days.

We want to thank you again for making COREBODY the vibrant and dynamic community it is today. In the meantime, we invite you to come and get a good start to the New Year, and enjoy COREBODY and the community through January 31st. While COREBODY may be closing, we hope you will use January to start your year off with fitness and ring in the New Year with us through January 31st.

Thank you.

Jason & Mark
COREBODY Decatur