Second Planet Fitness in Danbury celebrates grand opening
DANBURY — After investing $2.8 million in the site and the community, Planet Fitness celebrated the grand opening of its second location in Danbury.
Planet Fitness announced it would open a new health club in the Danbury Square plaza on Backus Avenue late last year.
On Thursday, company and city officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the health club, which was already open to patrons. The event included speeches, food, vendors, giveaways and a donation to the Danbury Police Activity League.
Planet Fitness said it invested $2.8 million to build the new facility and support the Danbury community.
The new 20,000-squarefoot club offers state-ofthe-art cardio machines and strength equipment, among other features, according to Planet Fitness.
In a statement, Planet Fitness said it is “committed to providing a clean, comfortable environment for residents of all fitness levels to maintain mental and physical health.” It is open seven days a week.
Slated to attend Thursday’s event were Mike Shapiro, vice president of Connecticut operations for Ignite Fitness Holdings; state Reps. Patrick Callahan, Rachel Chaleski and Farley Santos; City Councilman Joseph Cavo; Shay Nagarsheth, city director of economic development; Kara Prunty, city director of health and human services; and P.J. Prunty, president and CEO of the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce; along with Planet Fitness staff and members.
The new gym is located in the former storefront of Babies “R” Us and joins Ocean State Job Lot, which opened in 2021 in the space once occupied by Toys “R” Us.
The toy and kids store closed in 2018 after the chain went bankrupt. The building had been used for pop-up Halloween stores in the past few years.
Other large tenants in the plaza include Christmas Tree Shops, David’s Bridal and Barnes & Noble, which is moving next door this spring to the Danbury Fair mall, where it will take over a two-story site formerly occupied by Arhaus.
The owner of Danbury Square, Greenwich-based Urstadt Biddle Properties, said late last year it already had a prospective tenant for the corner spot that the bookstore is vacating.
“There is a tenant that we’re negotiating with for the Barnes & Noble space right now,” said Willing Biddle from Urstadt Biddle Properties. “I can’t give a name or use, but it’s an exciting tenant.”
Another Planet Fitness is located on Federal Road in Danbury, where in 2013 it took over a former Borders bookstore location in a retail plaza with P.C. Richard & Son.
There are other Planet Fitness gyms in Connecticut, including a pair in Milford and Orange that are 3 miles apart along the Post Road on opposite sides of the Connecticut Post Mall.