An unfortunate--although not entirely surprising--piece of news on Newburyport Business. I'd heard a move to the industrial park was possible, so I thought the club would relocate rather than close.
I'd been a member--more off than on--for the past 15 years going back to their Prince Place days, so this is unfortunate. Good people.
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My last trip to the Fitness Factory on Saturday was more akin to attending a wake than a workout. It was a sad day for me, as I had gotten to know the owners, staff and patrons quite well over the past five years. I made friends at the Fitness Factory, and felt very at home there. I saw many people, including the owners, shedding a tear or two as they said their goodbyes.
And so I turn a new page and join the ranks of a bigger, glitzier factory of fitness. This morning, I hit Latitude for my early morning workout with good results. It was nice to see some familiar faces wandering around aimlessly like me trying to get their bearings. Their facility is obviously much more modern, clean, and equipped than the FF ever was. The staff was very courteous and welcoming, as well.
Yet believe it or not, it does actually lack a couple of machines that FF had. Plus, it feels sterile and corporate. The biggest hurdles for me are the extra few miles I have to drive to get there as well as the higher price of membership.
We were very fortunate to have had a place with the perks and character of the Fitness Factory; family run, fair price, rarely crowded, good classes, good equipment and affordable. Yes it was old and dingy, but it was convenient.
Gyms like the FF are few and far between these days, as places like Planet Fitness ($10/month) slowly put them all out of business.
I can't help but thik that what happened to the FF is a microcosm for small business throughout the country and that inevitably we will see less and less family run businesses like it in Newburyport. Perhaps the wake that took place on Saturday was really a mass memorial for small, family owned businesses and a harbinger for even tougher times to come.
In the meantime, I will continue to mourn my loss at the brighter, shinier establishment across the river until reality hits and they start asking me for dues. Who knows, maybe by then I'll have grown accustomed to the joint and they will know me by name. On with the new, I suppose!
I do believe all the Latitudes are owned by one person, a man who lives in Amesbury.
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