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This is not my gym fortunately for the owner.
In talks for manager for Secaucus gym
07/19/02
By Martin Espinoza
Journal staff writer
SECAUCUS - Though no formal deal has been cut, a sign has been posted at the Plaza at the Meadows promising the defunct Health Concepts gym will soon open under new management.
The gym, run by S. J. Winters, a captain with the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue squad in Union City, abruptly closed after the Fourth of July holiday, without any prior notice to club members or the landlord, Hartz Mountain Industries.
However, this week, Irwin A. Horowitz, Hartz Mountain executive vice president general counsel, confirmed that his company is "talking" to several "organizations" that have expressed interest in taking over the facilities.
Horowitz said he expects the new operator to be in place in a couple of weeks. "This one guy wanted to open up on Monday," Horowitz said, adding that he does not want to rush the process.
"We're talking to a couple of big names and a couple of little guys," Horowitz said. "We want to make sure things get done right and get someone in there who is responsible so the same thing doesn't happen again."
Horowitz said one of the things he's negotiating is to make sure the new health club will honor existing members of the Health Concepts gym. "That's one of the things we're asking for. I can't guarantee that, but we want to make sure that people are not hurt too much by all this."
Before new management takes over the club, Horowitz said, a number of issues must be settled, including what is to be done with the equipment Winters left behind. Horowitz said he has been unable to contact the company on record as having a lien on the equipment.
Another company, which has liens on equipment left at other Health Concepts sites, called Hartz Mountain Industries and requested to examine the equipment, Horowitz said.
"It's a mess," Horowitz said. "The whole thing is a mess. That's why we want to make sure things are done right this time."
A Health Concepts gym also closed in Fairview about the same time the Secaucus facility locked its doors. In February, another Winters-run facility in West Orange also abruptly closed on Pleasant Valley Way, leaving about 1,000 members holding their gym bags.
The recent closing of the Health Concepts facilities follows the demise of another Hudson County gym, the Corporate Fitness Center at the Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City. That facility closed on June 17 and members of that gym are seeking refunds as well.
Members of the Health Concepts gyms may apply for a refund by filing a complaint against Winters with the state Division of Consumer Affairs. To request a complaint form, call (973) 504-6261.
Martin Espinoza can be reached at [email protected].
In talks for manager for Secaucus gym
07/19/02
By Martin Espinoza
Journal staff writer
SECAUCUS - Though no formal deal has been cut, a sign has been posted at the Plaza at the Meadows promising the defunct Health Concepts gym will soon open under new management.
The gym, run by S. J. Winters, a captain with the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue squad in Union City, abruptly closed after the Fourth of July holiday, without any prior notice to club members or the landlord, Hartz Mountain Industries.
However, this week, Irwin A. Horowitz, Hartz Mountain executive vice president general counsel, confirmed that his company is "talking" to several "organizations" that have expressed interest in taking over the facilities.
Horowitz said he expects the new operator to be in place in a couple of weeks. "This one guy wanted to open up on Monday," Horowitz said, adding that he does not want to rush the process.
"We're talking to a couple of big names and a couple of little guys," Horowitz said. "We want to make sure things get done right and get someone in there who is responsible so the same thing doesn't happen again."
Horowitz said one of the things he's negotiating is to make sure the new health club will honor existing members of the Health Concepts gym. "That's one of the things we're asking for. I can't guarantee that, but we want to make sure that people are not hurt too much by all this."
Before new management takes over the club, Horowitz said, a number of issues must be settled, including what is to be done with the equipment Winters left behind. Horowitz said he has been unable to contact the company on record as having a lien on the equipment.
Another company, which has liens on equipment left at other Health Concepts sites, called Hartz Mountain Industries and requested to examine the equipment, Horowitz said.
"It's a mess," Horowitz said. "The whole thing is a mess. That's why we want to make sure things are done right this time."
A Health Concepts gym also closed in Fairview about the same time the Secaucus facility locked its doors. In February, another Winters-run facility in West Orange also abruptly closed on Pleasant Valley Way, leaving about 1,000 members holding their gym bags.
The recent closing of the Health Concepts facilities follows the demise of another Hudson County gym, the Corporate Fitness Center at the Harborside Financial Center in Jersey City. That facility closed on June 17 and members of that gym are seeking refunds as well.
Members of the Health Concepts gyms may apply for a refund by filing a complaint against Winters with the state Division of Consumer Affairs. To request a complaint form, call (973) 504-6261.
Martin Espinoza can be reached at [email protected].
