Reader report: The NYSC outpost reopens on Avenue A

Updated 11/14: This is now a TMPL outpost.

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From the EVG tipline: The New York Sports Clubs outpost reopened this week on Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street.

Several balloons now beckon gym goers through the front door here...

This development comes after Town Sports, the operator of New York Sports Clubs and Lucille Roberts gyms, won bankruptcy court approval last week to sell itself to a group of lenders and private-equity firm Tacit Capital LLC in a deal valued at about $85 million, as I cut-n-paste from a Wall Street Journal article behind the paywall. 

New ownership said they'd reopen 80-plus of the locations.

Town Sports filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 14 ... and this branch opened for a day or two in late September before quickly shutting down again, once again confusing and angering patrons. 

The NYSC website still lists this location as closed. However, people could be seen working out through the windows on the upper floors. Our tipster, a former member, said that he did not receive any notice about a reopening.

This past spring, NYSC members were angry that the club was still charging them membership fees despite the COVID-19 closure. Town Sports did eventually offer refunds.

New York Sports Clubs permanently shutters Avenue A location 2 days after reopening

That was fast. After a grand reopening on Monday, the New York Sports Clubs at 28 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street has permanently closed.

Multiple readers shared an email from NYSC about the closure.

On behalf of NYSC, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close the Avenue A location on September 30th. 

This decision was a difficult one, but all isn’t lost. Effective immediately, your membership has been upgraded to our Elite Membership level at your current rate which gives you access to our entire network of clubs. By having an Elite Membership, you’ll be able to work out in all of our over 160 locations — from DC and Maryland to New York, Boston, Florida, California and yes, even Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, the sign on the door points to a temporary closure...

Town Sports filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Sept. 14 due to coronavirus-related closures. They had reportedly worked out a deal with a group of lenders and a private-equity firm to serve as the lead bidder for the assets. 

On Wednesday, AG Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Town Sports for allegedly illegally charged customers their membership fees during the COVID-19 closure and then failed to issue reimbursements.

This NYSC outpost opened in March 2015 in the newly gut-renovated building... what tenant might want to take arguably the neighborhood's ugliest building?

Previously on EV Grieve:
• New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

• New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

• Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

• Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

Report: Parent company of New York Sports Clubs fit for Chapter 11 filing

NYC gyms were permitted to reopen yesterday with reduced capacity and COVID-19 restrictions in place.

There were lines reported at some gyms, such as at the Blink on Avenue A.

One notable exception to the reopenings: New York Sports Clubs. On Tuesday, the owner of the chain said it may need to file for bankruptcy "in the near future."

Per Bloomberg:

Town Sports International is in talks with its lenders to refinance a loan coming due this fall as its cash flow and liquidity continue to tighten, the company said in a regulatory filing Tuesday. The gym owner and operator said it doesn’t have enough cash on hand to repay the debt when it comes due in November.

The company missed a payment on its revolver last month, violating terms of the debt. Lenders could send the company a notice of default and demand immediate repayment of all obligations, but none has done so yet, Town Sports said in the filing.

So the NYSC outposts in the area, such as the one at 28-30 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street that looks like a bad prototype for an Iron Man helmet, will remain shuttered for the foreseeable future.

Updated 9:30 a.m.

HOLD ON. EVG reader MP reports that the Astor Place location — "Elite by NYSC" — is open...

Reader report: The alarms at the Avenue A NYSC have been ringing since Thursday night

Via the EVG inbox...

The burglar alarms at the New York Sports Clubs outpost at 28-30 Avenue A between Second Street and Third Street has been going off CONTINUOUSLY since Thursday night. It's going off on both the front interior of the building (flashing florescent lights inside the front entrance along with sounds), irritating the merchants nearby, and VERY definitely at the rear of the building. Those of us whose apartments back up to rear of their building are being driven crazy!

According to the reader and nearby resident, calls to 311 get transferred to 911, where nothing has come from the complaints. Queries to NYSC have not been returned.

The gym has been closed since March 16. In early April, the New York state Attorney General's office ordered NYSC to stop charging membership dues during the COVID-19 closure.

Elite New York Sports Club now open on Astor Place

[Photo by @EdenBrower]

The new Elite brand of gym by New York Sports Clubs is up and running on Astor Place... this is the current pricing via this location's website... $120 a month without a commitment... $110 a month with a one-year commitment...



Press materials note that the new location at 4 Astor Place "will feature several new programs and will also boast Rogue rigs, Woodway treadmills, lifting platforms and expanded training zones."

This four-level spot was, until December, a David Barton Gym. This location as well as the three others in Manhattan abruptly closed last December.

New York Sports Club branding arrives at the former David Barton Gym on Astor Place

The New York Sports Club signage arrived this past week at the former David Barton gym on Astor Place.

Earlier this month, Town Sports International, the owners of the New York Sports Clubs brand, announced that they had bought the 10,000-square-foot space ... which will become one of New York Sports Clubs' collection of Elite clubs...



No sign of any member records lying in the snow.

David Barton abruptly closed in December.

Former David Barton space on Astor Place will become an 'elite' New York Sports Club

Back in December, the four David Barton Gym locations in Manhattan, including on Astor Place, shut down without any warning to its members or staff.

That prime Astor Place space won't be staying vacant for too much longer. Yesterday, Town Sports International, the owners of the New York Sports Clubs brand, announced that they had bought the 10,000-square-foot space ... which will become one of New York Sports Clubs' collection of Elite clubs.

Here's more from an announcement that arrived in the EVG inbox:

New York Sports Clubs will pay homage to the rich neighborhood culture originally created by David Barton at 4 Astor Place by retaining many of the club's original finishes and signature touches while bringing in a new fresh new wave of equipment, facilities, amenities and class offerings.

The new location at 4 Astor Place will feature several new programs and will also boast Rogue rigs, Woodway treadmills, lifting platforms and expanded training zones.

New York Sports Clubs Elite membership gyms are the evolution of the Sports Clubs brand. This new tier of membership will offer customers a higher level of service, amenities, programming and partnerships as well as providing access to the nearly 150 clubs within the TSI network.

For more information about the Astor Place location, you can visit the official gym website here.

Last month, State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit against Club Ventures Investments LLC d/b/a David Barton Gyms

David Barton arrived on Astor Place in 2009.

[Updated] Reader report: The city dumps Manny the Peddler's wares on Avenue A

A City sanitation crew stopped by Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street around noon today and dumped all of the items Manny the Peddler has been selling along here.

Said one witness:

It appears the manager of the New York Sports Club called the city rather than ask Manny to move his things to another spot along the block, which most other business owners on this block do. Manny is happy to oblige.

Considering the eyesore and highly illegal-looking construction that's been taking up the sidewalk for MONTHS now outside the sports club, it seems like a real douchey move.

Manny is a sweetheart and favorite of many locals in the neighborhood.

This isn't the first time that the city tossed Manny's sale items.

Manny, aka Emmanuel Howard, has been selling second-hand items on Avenue A and East Second Street for more than 35 years.

Updated 5/27

NYSC General Manager Anthony Testai responded with this comment:

I just wanted to say — as the General Manager of the NYSC on Ave A that I am shocked to see how badly my company is getting dragged thru the mud with this. Manny and I have personally chatted multiple times and I was disappointed to see the city throw away his things again.

Just so most of you are aware this is the third time that I know of that this has happened and as all of you know..(weve only been here for 3 months). I can assure you that NYSC myself and my staff included had NOTHING to do with the fact that he had his things thrown away. The first time this happened before we were even open I immediately ran down to Manny and apologized for his belongings being thrown away.

Manny sells his things in front of the methadone clinic and he's not near our storefront, which is why we have no problem with him doing his business, he knows that because we have spoken and I say hello to him almost everyday.

On behalf of NYSC I apologize for this happening but it did not come from us, I even spoke to the construction team and they had nothing to do with it.

Now for the real issue the SIDEWALK! This is killing everyone's business and is a huge problem with the community and me. Just so everyone is aware the sidewalk has been the city not giving us to remove an oil tank that was abandoned beneath the old sidewalk. And so everyone is updated it will be completed by the end of this month if not sooner.

If anyone has any questions please feel free to stop by, tour the gym and see that we are not some "big business" or call me...

Avenue A wants its sidewalk back

The New York Sports Club opened at 28 Avenue A back in early March... and the space outside here between East Second Street and East Third Street ...



... remains a work in progress... drawing the ire of at least one person (or more) asking for the release of the sidewalk...



H/T to @fnytv for alerting us to the signs on Saturday.

New York Sports Club is open on Avenue A

The four-level NYSC branch opened this week at 28 Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street.

Anyone gymgoers want to offer up an opinion on the space?

For hours and classes and stuff, you may visit their website here.

Also, as we noticed on the NYSC website about this location... you may want to bring your own towel if you want to save a few bucks. There is a $2 fee for a single towel or you can purchase a 10-towel card for $10.

Meanwhile, back on Saturday, the Post reported that Town Sports International, the owner of NYSC, was looking for a buyer after losing $69 million last year.

[T]he middle-market player is getting squeezed between low-cost options like Planet Fitness and more expensive, specialty chains like Equinox, Soul Cycle and Life Time Fitness.

“Town Sports has great real estate, but it is the wrong model and brand,” said one industry source.

And!

The chain has some time to improve its bottom line — about two years at its current cash burn.

Previously on EV Grieve:
New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

Avenue A's New York Sports Club now with ellipticals and monthly deals

Just taking our weekly look at the incoming New York Sports Club at 28 Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street…

The gym equipment has arrived … as well as a $19.95 monthly deal (no contract!) …



Oh, if this helps, then we'll use the long, lean gym-friendly arrows to point out the ellipticals…



Meanwhile, the facility is open for tours… per the NYSC website:

We’re putting the finishing touches on our new Avenue A & 3rd Street club and invite you to come in for a tour. This 20,000-square-foot fitness gem features four floors loaded with brand new state-of-the art equipment and staffed with a team of the finest fitness professionals ready to help you get in the best shape of your life. Features will include a UXF® Training Zone, a cycling studio, a group exercise studio, and all of the first-class amenities that have made us a fitness leader for 40 years strong:

Come in for a tour:
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday - Sunday: 8:00am - 6:00pm

Previously on EV Grieve:
New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

New York Sports Club not quite done branding their new Avenue A location

[Last week!]

Yep, more signage for the incoming gym at 28 Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street...



...some snow-friendly letters...



At this point Winter 2015 remains the rather vague opening date.

H/T @KennethRood

Previously on EV Grieve:
New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

Let's take a look at the New York Sports Club on Avenue A without the sidewalk bridge

Workers removed the sidewalk bridge from outside 28 Avenue A on Saturday.

The address is the new home of a New York Sports Club.

And we can now enjoy the FULL VIEW of the renovated building ...





The Gracefully sign remains (the market closed in November) ... and the storefront remains for rent.

Still no official word on when the gym opens.



Previously on EV Grieve:
New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

Let's take another look at the New York Sports Club on Avenue A

Last Friday, workers took down all that construction gear covering up the under-renovation 28 Avenue A … home soon to a New York Sports Club…

Here are two photos from Saturday…





Reader reaction was swift and brutal. For example!

• Anonymous said...
It's sure the winner in the Ugliest New Architectural Atrocity Award.

• RJJNY said...
All the verve and appeal of a multi-story car park.

• Anonymous said...
wow a big step down from International Style to suburban aluminum siding style.

• Gojira said...
You have got to be kidding me. Someone actually got paid to design this piece of crap?

• Ken from Ken's Kitchen said...
So the developer just did a major rework that turned an iconic facade into blah to attract a gym? People pay $$$ for quality period stuff and people/companies pay $$$ to do biz in a building with a period facade like that.

Feel any differently about it after a few days to get used to the façade?

And several people were disappointed to see that workers removed the familiar Burger-Klein sign in July. (Furniture seller Burger-Klein occupied the building as early as 1939.)

We were reminded that New York Sports Club took over part of the former Chopin Theater space in Greenpoint ... and they didn't actually get any style points for this rehab either...



At least they kept the eagle from the building's days as the American Theatre.

Thanks to our friend Miss Heather at New York Shitty for this photo!

Here is the New York Sports Club building on Avenue A

[EVG photo from spring 2013]

Workers this morning are removing the scaffolding and construction netting from the incoming New York Sports Club at 28 Avenue A... A reader sent us this photo of the exterior...



Hmm. Thoughts?

As we first reported back in April 2013, New York Sports Club will be operating on the second through fifth floors here between East Second Street and East Third Street. Above the former Gracefully, which closed on Nov. 18.

So workers will need to remove that old Gracefully sign too.

The familiar Burger-Klein sign disappeared back in July. Furniture seller Burger-Klein occupied the building as early as 1939. Read more about the history of the Burger-Klein building at Off the Grid.

The NYSC website says that the gym will open this fall.

Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: New York Health & Racquet Club taking over the space above Gracefully on Avenue A (24 comments)

New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Gracefully is closing on Avenue A

A few weeks ago, the market at 28 Avenue A between East Second Street and East Third Street cut back its hours, forgoing around-the-clock sales for an 11 p.m. closure.

Now comes word that the store will be closing for good soon. We've heard as early as this Friday … or by the end of the month. An employee confirmed the closure to us.

The story is that Gracefully needs to vacate to make way for the New York Sports Club that is opening here…



We were trying to remember when Gracefully opened — 1997? Anyway, long before Whole Foods… and, more recently, Union Market.

And this will be the last of Grace Dancyger's delis to close in the East Village. Graceland closed in April 2010 on Avenue A and East Second Street in April 2010 after a 19-year run. And Adinah's Farm closed in June after 20 years on Avenue C and East Second Street.

As far as we know, there are still three other Gracefully locations in the city, including on First Avenue in Stuy Town.

Thanks to @AnnaRoseMusic for the tip

Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: New York Health & Racquet Club taking over the space above Gracefully on Avenue A (24 comments)

New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

Familiar Burger-Klein sign has disappeared from Avenue A

[EVG photo from spring 2013]

When the sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrived at 28 Avenue A last November, we wondered if the familiar Burger-Klein signage would remain. The floors about Gracefully between East Second Street and East Third Street are being converted into a New York Sports Club.

And this week, the Burger-Klein sign came down.





Perhaps the workers will return it after the renovations are complete. That could happen, right? Right?

Furniture seller Burger-Klein occupied the building as early as 1939. Read more about the history of the Burger-Klein building at Off the Grid.

Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: New York Health & Racquet Club taking over the space above Gracefully on Avenue A (24 comments)

New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

New York Sports Club says hello on Avenue A

As we first reported last April 29, New York Sports Club is opening a gym above Gracefully at 28 Avenue A.

And yesterday, a banner advertising the new gym went up on the scaffolding, as the above photo by EVG reader Jon shows. There is also a website now for this location with more details:

Avenue A & 3rd Street club opens fall 2014
We are pleased to announce the opening of our new Avenue A & 3rd Street club this fall. This 20,000-square-foot fitness gem will feature four floors loaded with brand new state-of-the art equipment and staffed with a team of the finest fitness professionals ready to help you get in the best shape of your life. Features will include a UXF® Training Zone, a cycling studio, a group exercise studio, and all of the first-class amenities that have made us a fitness leader for 39 years strong:

• State-of-the-art cardio equipment with personal interactive TVs
• Spacious free weight area featuring tons of equipment
• Energizing group exercise classes such as Spinning®, Pilates and more
• UXF Circuit Training
8 Certified personal trainers
• Towel service

We're still hopeful that the the familiar Burger-Klein façade remains on the renovated building. The furniture seller occupied the building as early as 1939. Read more about the history of the Burger-Klein building at Off the Grid.

This will be the second major gym to open in the East Village this year. There's also the Crunch coming the to Bowery. Or you can just do the Citi Bike stationary workout for free!

Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: New York Health & Racquet Club taking over the space above Gracefully on Avenue A (24 comments)

New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

Sidewalk bridge and scaffolding arrive ahead of planned New York Sports Club on Avenue A

A sidewalk bridge arrived Monday outside Gracefully at 28 Avenue A.

And yesterday, workers started erecting scaffold outside the familiar Burger-Klein façade, as this photo via EVG reader Jennifer Kellow shows...



As we reported on April 29, New York Sports Club has plans to open a gym above the market. In May, CB3 approved "the BSA special permit application by New York Sports Club to operate a physical culture establishment/health club at 28-30 Ave A on the 2nd thru 5th floors with entrance on the 1st floor."

Meanwhile, though, the application is still waiting the OK for the Department of Buildings, who stamped a "disapproved" on the first round of plans in April.


[EVG photo from spring 2013]

Furniture seller Burger-Klein occupied the building as early as 1939. Read more about the history of the Burger-Klein building at Off the Grid.

Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: New York Health & Racquet Club taking over the space above Gracefully on Avenue A (24 comments)

New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A

Crunch moving to the Bowery; CB3 OKs New York Sports Club on Avenue A

The retail space at 2 Cooper Square has been empty since the apartments hit the market in 2009... apparently it won't be empty for too much longer... EVG reader Axis of Eville commented yesterday
that the Crunch gym on Lafayette was moving here to the Bowery and East Fourth Street in September.

And the city issued permits last week for Crunch signage here...



On the topic of gyms... As we noted last month, New York Sports Club was aiming to take over all of the floors above Gracefully on Avenue A near East Second Street...



... this moved a step closer to happening after Tuesday's full CB3 meeting ... CB3 approved "the BSA special permit application by New York Sports Club to operate a physical culture establishment/health club at 28-30 Ave A on the 2nd thru 5th floors with entrance on the 1st floor." The DOB still needs to approve the work permits. No timeline just yet when all this would happen...

Previously on EV Grieve:
RUMOR: New York Health & Racquet Club taking over the space above Gracefully on Avenue A (24 comments)

New York Sports Club in the works for Avenue A