When 2020 comes, Bradfordians will have a new spot to work towards their New Year’s resolution of getting in shape: Anytime Fitness.
The franchise is anticipated to open in early January at the Bradford Mall in the old Big Lots location, according to Matt Kline, Anytime Fitness club owner.
Residents don’t have to wait until January to join, as the business will launch its presale campaign on Monday.
Construction is now happening at the location, with Miller Brothers Construction preparing the site ready for the new business. The Era was recently invited to the location to see the ongoing construction.
Donn Hensel of Recckio Real Estate & Development Inc., the company in charge of leasing sites at the mall, is excited about the national chain coming to Bradford. MBC Development owns the Bradford Mall.
Hensel noted that contractors replaced a whole area of sewer line within the building and will have a new floor ready for the new business. A row of windows will be installed in the solid wall at the front of the store to let in natural light.
In fact, each unit in the mall is basically being rebuilt one at a time, with new drywall, ceiling and fire protection systems.
Construction is scheduled to conclude late this year, said Hensel.
“Joining a gym can be an intimidating experience for a lot of us,” said Kline.
“Sometimes you don’t know what to expect when you walk through those doors,” he continued. “Here at Anytime Fitness, we offer a facility big enough to include everything needed for a great workout, yet small enough to provide personalized attention for all our members. With goals ranging from weight loss, to increased strength, improved balance and flexibility — or a combination of those things — we’re able to help you achieve the individual results that you seek.”
With presales opening Monday, Anytime Fitness is offering the best rates they will have for the first 200 people to sign up, along with $0 down memberships. To sign up, visit the new location at 1001 E. Main St. or call 814-366-4049.
“We make it easy for our members to exercise whenever and however they like,” said Kline. “We have personal trainers available to help you learn how to use equipment and to develop an individualized workout plan, if you like. And, our state-of-the-art virtual classroom allows members to choose from dozens of video classes whenever it’s most convenient for them.”
Members will have full use of equipment and amenities including circuit and resistance training machines; free weights; cardio equipment, including treadmills, elliptical machines and stationary bikes; group fitness classes; private bathrooms, changing rooms and showers; and the availability of tanning packages.
Anytime Fitness has more than 4,600 gyms located on five continents. The gyms are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Membership provides access to gyms all over the world at no extra cost.
For more information about Anytime Fitness, visit www.anytimefitness.com.
The Bradford Mall has been a busy place recently, with several stores moving into a mall or in the mall parking lot over the past few years.
“The mall is just about full,” Hensel noted.
At the mall, Recckio leases the back side of the building for warehousing.
“The mall has tremendous warehousing potential,” Hensel said, describing the amount of space out back.
Hensel noted the current owners have taken great care in the upkeep of the mall, which has challenges including a creek that runs underneath it.
Among the ongoing projects at the mall is a search for a full-line, sitdown restaurant to move in.
Benefits to moving to the mall include the historic value of Bradford and the tax advantage for shoppers who travel from New York state, Hensel said. In fact, the area of local shoppers around the mall, which includes places like Salamanca, N.Y., and Olean, N.Y., includes a pool of around 100,000 customers, he explained.
He added they would like to make the center courtyard into a store, too, when they find a store that is a good fit for the space. He does not foresee reopening as a traditional mall.
Recckio is part of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
