In an email to Ohio City’s SoLo residents, block club chair Julia Sieck revealed that fitness chain Planet Fitness had signed a lease on the Lorain Avenue building formerly occupied by Unique Thrift Store and recently commandeered by the Cleveland Flea. 

Representatives from ADA Architects, the Lakewood-based firm managing the project, will reportedly attend the SoLo block club meeting Feb. 6. Sieck said she did not believe the gym would need any zoning variances but expected more detailed information at the meeting.

Planet Fitness has existing locations scattered among the Cleveland suburbs: in Rocky River, Brook Park, Parma, Garfield Heights and Richmond Heights. They offer low-cost memberships and have promoted a “judgement free zone” to emphasize that their workout environments are suited to people of all shapes and sizes. The company opened its first gym in 1992 in Dover, New Hampshire.

Jeff Gould, from ADA Architects, confirmed that his firm was working on the site, but said that the project was still in its “early stages.” ADA is currently determining what the city of Cleveland will require for the site. He said a site plan and a building plan already exist.

Gould said the building would not change all that much, but some modifications to the exterior, including new colors, and minor changes to the parking lot can be expected. He was unable to provide a timeline and did not know the terms of the lease. ADA has worked on at least one other Planet Fitness property. 

Planet Fitness media reps have not yet responded to requests for comment.

This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2018.

Sam Allard is a former senior writer at Scene.

6 replies on “Planet Fitness to Take Over Unique Thrift Store Location in Ohio City”

  1. This is great, thank you for sharing, and good to know that is the best, and growth
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  2. I am so happy to hear about this. This will be a great addition to the neighborhood. Tremont Athletic Club is great, but it’s very expensive and a lot of people will be encouraged to join this gym because of the lower price point. I think this is healthy competition, pun intended.

  3. I am so happy it’s coming..all the other ones are in the suburbs..great location for people who don’t drive..plus after eating in Ohio city u can go straight to gym and work it off

  4. When can we expect to see it up and running ? Can`t wait. Be a lot closer to home. Really need this..Thank you .

  5. Omgoodness..I am totally ecstatic!!
    I drive 4 days a week to the Rocky River Planet Fitness. I love everything and everyone at Rocky River. But, it’s just a long drive 4 days a week.

  6. I drive to four days a week to fx out in west lake. Just because its off the freeway. Man its hard to get outtheir during the qinter months plus the nice ones. I live in ohio city

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