Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, October 4, 1994 TAG: 9410040076
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: C8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KIMBERLY N. MARTIN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Gold's Gym and Fitness Center, a bi-level health spa, is the building's linchpin. Dean Huffman owns The Mecca, Gold's, and two of the four other businesses - Four Season's Tanning Salon and Good Earth Deli - sharing the building that formerly housed the Downtown West and later LancerLot health clubs.
The Mecca's remaining two businesses - a nail salon and a hair salon - are owned by Shelby Holland and Tony Anduiza respectively.
"The businesses complement each other," Huffman said. ``People can come in to get their nails done, then they'll stay to join the health club.''
That's what Anduiza is counting on.
"People don't just want their hair done, they want the total look. It's total image concept," said Anduiza of Hair Mania.
The fitness center dominates the renovated building's 38,000 square feet, absorbing about 53 percent of the floor space for its downstairs weight room, upstairs track, steam room and cardiovascular equipment.
The space is nearly double what Gold's Gym had at its former location on Virginia 419 in Roanoke County.
Huffman hopes the additional room will mean more equipment, employees and customers. Gold's Gym has about 1,200 members. Huffman did not have a projection for future growth at the new location.
The downtown location is an added bonus, attracting area businesspeople such as Don Shovely of Norfolk Southern Corp., who exercises on his lunch hour.
"I was a member at Downtown West until it closed, so I was glad to see [Gold's] open up. It's real convenient for me," Shovely said.
Downtown West operated from 1983 until it was sold in 1987 to LancerLot, which closed in 1990. The building had been vacant until Huffman began repairs last month.
The Mecca is 75 percent occupied. Huffman plans to add a massage salon next.
by CNB