The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
ENERGY FITNESS RELOCATES
Field Street space is across from new courthouse
TORRINGTON » Energy Fitness is set to relocate from East Main Street to Field Street in the coming months, adding to a fresh burst of activity in the area.
Owner Luc Fondaire said Monday that his lease on East Main Street was up, prompting a search for a new location. He said the building at 49 Field Street was appealing because it is close to the existing gym, allowing it to continue to serve the community, and that he’s likely to see increased traffic after the recent opening of the Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse.
He said he was also attracted by the historic nature and appearance of the building on Field Street, which struck a high note for his European heritage.
“That building came up in our search, and we thought it was absolutely perfect with the new courthouse and the traffic it will bring to the area. We were also very excited about using an older building for the gym, and the whole rejuvenation of that area,” said Fondaire. “I’m European, so I really like old buildings, and using old buildings rather than going new... There’s definitely a coolness factor to that old building.”
Along with Energy Fitness, two other businesses are also transitioning to Field Street.
Fuel, a smoothie and coffee cafe, opened within Energy Fitness in December, owner Dina Calabrese said Monday.
“My boyfriend and I are gym members, and for a long time, we were looking at the empty corner, trying to figure out how make it something that the gym members would like and kind of be synergistic with the goals and our vision of healthy eating,” said Calabrese. “It’s been great. Members love it; we have some people from the outside coming now, so we’re hoping that will increase.”
As part of the transition, Calabrese said the business plans to expand its healthy options and cater to the lunch crowd and people coming into work.
She said the cafe will be separated somewhat from the gym in the new building, offering a place for nonmembers to hang out.
“I’m excited. The space is awesome — it’s a whole new vibe, a whole new feel,” said Cabarese.
The plan is to create an urban feel, Fondaire said — “very big city in a small city.”
“What we couldn’t do here is offer the people an atmosphere where they didn’t feel they were in the gym if they came just to have a drink or a smoothie or a coffee or lunch,” said Fondaire, of the old gym. “The new space will definitely do that. It’ll have that Starbucks, cool vibe, in that whole area, and if you don’t want to see the gym, you won’t have to see the gym.”
Odyssey Group Fitness, which offers a variety of exercise classes, will also make the move. Fondaire said they’ll have two studios in the gym, bringing their members through the space and increasing the energy in the building.
Construction on the new space is underway, Fondaire said. New locker rooms and showers are to be installed, and the industrial look of the building will be restored to an extent.
The new space will also allow Energy Fitness to expand and create a conditioning area for athletes, Fondaire said. He said there are between 800 and 950 members of the gym, the vast majority of whom are excited to make the shift.
“Our members are very excited,” said Fondaire. “Most of them actually think it’s a great thing.”
The plan is to open on Field Street Oct. 2, according to Fondaire.
More information about Energy Fitness, Fuel, and Odyssey Fitness are available on the businesses’ websites — energytorrington.com, www.fuelatenergy.com, and www.odysseyfitnessct.com.
The Litchfield Judicial District Courthouse opened to the public Monday after decades of planning. It is expected to be fully-operational by October after a phased move-in process, according to state officials.
The Register Citizen offices are also housed at 49 Field Street.
According to the Torrington Historic Preservation Trust, the Excelsior Needle Division and the Torrington Company both previously called Field Street home.