Fitness chain’s last area site shutters, creating anchor vacancy at Bethlehem shopping center
A key fitness chain has shut its very last Lehigh Valley spot, leaving a just about 14,000-square-foot anchor emptiness at Stefko Boulevard Purchasing Heart.
Retro Health and fitness Bethlehem, in between H&R Block and Fantastic Wine & Fantastic Spirits, shuttered May well 27 at the procuring desired destination in the 1800 block of Stefko Boulevard, in close proximity to Easton Avenue. A signal on the front door Friday thanked patrons for their enterprise and pointed out all memberships were being currently being canceled with no even more expenses currently being made to accounts. Billing is turned off, effective May 5, it mentioned.
“We are doing work with ABC Money to refund any compensated in complete memberships as perfectly,” the indication extra. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may lead to you and desire you ongoing success on your health and fitness journey.”
The explanation powering the closure is unclear. A cell phone selection outlined for the Bethlehem place was disconnected Friday and a Retro Fitness spokesperson didn’t right away return a ask for for facts.
The Bethlehem closure follows a September 2020 shut down at the 25th Road Searching Center in Palmer Township. Ayon Codner, then vice president of Keller Williams House Team in South Whitehall Township, previously explained to the Early morning Get in touch with newspaper possession blamed COVID-19 as the motive. The Connect with also claimed a comparable previous Retro Fitness closure at the Mountainville Browsing Heart in Allentown.

A signal on the front doorway of Retro Health Friday, June 3, 2022 thanked patrons for their business and famous all memberships ended up staying canceled with no additional charges currently being built to accounts.
Irrespective of the regional closures, even so, the health and fitness chain seems to be on the uptick nationally.
Retro Health on May perhaps 20 introduced in a information launch plans to launch “Project Carry,” an initiative to open 500 overall health clubs in 50 varied populated communities nationally about a span of the upcoming 5 a long time. The plan marked the largest growth offer in the heritage of the chain, Retro Conditioning representatives claimed.
Challenge Elevate was released subsequent a current analyze by the U.S. Office of Wellness & Human Services Business office of Minority Health exhibiting Black and Hispanic citizens possessing a greater obesity price than other ethnic groups, no matter of socioeconomic position.
The membership-dependent chain is recognized for its 1980s vibe with red and yellow gear. It gives individual coaching and group health and fitness lessons, as nicely as these types of features as a smoothie bar, tanning, therapeutic massage chair and retail shop. It now has additional than 120 spots nationally, according to the chain’s site.
Retro Fitness’ closure now leaves a overall of a few vacancies at the Stefko Boulevard Buying Centre, owned by Regency Centers. It sits in a dense retail corridor and is also anchored by Dollar Tree and Valley Farm Market place.
A 2,800-square-foot room continues to be soon after a blaze torched Lion’s Den Barber Store in August 2021. The fireplace, which led to arson fees, seriously broken the building and the interior has been underneath design. The other 1,600-square-foot space previously occupied Regency Finance Firm, subsequent to T-Cellular. Both at the moment are out there for lease, explained Scott Horner, vice president of the retail division at Colliers Intercontinental, the center’s leasing agent.
At minimum two new enterprises are slated to fill a pair of vacancies remaining by a Hallmark keep and J’s Steaks & Subs at least five many years ago. The Hallmark was a closure and J’s Steaks & Subs relocated to yet another developing at 2140 Stefko Blvd., Horner claimed.
Signed on to fill the 2,000-sq.-foot area still left by J’s will be This is Burritos, a speedy relaxed Mexican eatery with burritos, tacos and quesadillas. The 3,200-sq.-foot former Hallmark keep is slated to turn out to be B Good, a point out-of-the-artwork blood plasma assortment web site. The two tenants have not introduced official grand opening dates, but signals have gone up at This is Burritos and both web sites seem to be under construction.
The procuring destination has more than a dozen other companies, such as T-Cell, Washline Coin Laundry, Metro PCS, Stefko Pharmacy, Tung Hing Chinese Restaurant, Manner Nails, United Verify Cashing, and Very little CALI arepa and empanada bar.

A 2,000-square-foot room still left by J’s Steaks & Subs at the purchasing heart is slated to turn into will be “This is Burritos,” a rapid everyday Mexican eatery with burritos, tacos and quesadillas.
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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be achieved at [email protected].