Gold’s Gym closes Joliet location with no notice

 Gold’s Gym at 2701 Black Road closed Thursday without giving notice to members.

Harris Bank initiated foreclosure proceedings against Gold’s in November and a receiver was appointed about three weeks ago, said Joliet attorney George Barr, whose company Barr Group also owns space in the commercial condo complex that houses the gym.

In 2005, Gold’s bought 35,000 square feet of space, which housed the former Charlie Club, of 2701 Black Road LLC, which founded the development about 30 years ago, said Barr, one of the LLC investors.

There was confusion Thursday morning when office workers and gym customers seeking an early-morning workout all found locked main doors to the building. Gym staff used to unlock the doors to the building when they opened because there were no separate doors for Gold’s, Barr explained.

That situation was rectified later Thursday when a temporary wall was erected to block access to the gym and the main doors were opened.

Matthew Nix, the court-appointed receiver, said he is referring customers with inquiries about membership refunds or personal property left in the gym to the gym’s owner.

“We just directed people to the Gold’s Gym phone number and ownership,” he said. “We’re just responsible for the mortgaged property.”

Calls to the Gold’s Gym number were answered by a recorded message that said staff was busy “assisting other customers.”

Nix said he did not close the business, but it was closed by the gym’s owner. Barr said the business is owned by John Janota of Fitness Enterprises. Janota could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The original Gold’s Gym was founded in Venice Beach, Calif., in 1965. It offers franchise ownership opportunities and has more than 600 locations around the world, according to http://www.goldsgym.com/

By Cindy Wojdyla Cain