SGB Update Sports & Fitness
Mondraker USA Appoints U.S. Sales Director
Mariano Gon was appointed U.S. sales director effective February 3, 2025. He has spent 25 years honing his sales and cycling industry expertise, strategic vision and passion to Mondraker’s growing U.S. presence.
Crunch Fitness Opening in Lynchburg, VA in Summer 2025
Crunch Lynchburg will be located in a former Big Lots building on Wards Road. The 40,000-square-foot fitness facility will be operated by Crunch Fitness franchisee Fitness Ventures, LLC.
Nordstrom, Inc. Plans to Open New Rack Store in Lake Grove, NY
The new retail location expands the company’s physical footprint and economic impact in New York, where it currently operates five Nordstrom stores and 10 Nordstrom Rack stores, generating over 1,900 jobs statewide.
Club Pilates Franchisee Adds Master Franchisee Agreement for Three Additional Countries
TMCP Fitness LP and its Founders, Chris and Susan Fichaud, existing Club Pilates master franchisees in France, Ireland and Switzerland, and domestic franchisees in Texas, have added a new MFA for Belgium, Luxembourg and Monaco.
Turtleson Toasts Grover Walker on Account Exec’s Retirement
Grover Walker has represented Izod Lacoste, Corbin, Bobby Jones, and, most recently, Turtleson over his 50-year career. Turtleson has named Tammy Kaminsky, who joined the company in 2022 with over 30 years of experience representing global brands, to replace Walker.
Health & Fitness Association to Induct First Class Into HFA Hall of Fame
The HFA has selected six industry leaders to induct into its inaugural HFA Hall of Fame class. The inductees are Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Rick Caro, Red Lerille, Julie Main, John McCarthy, and Augie Nieto.
Pickleball Kingdom Franchisee to Open Facility in Centerville, Ohio
Franchisees Dhaval Patel and Sanjay Patel, co-leaders of Pickleball X, will open a new venue in Centerville, OH, on Main Street. The 36,000-square-foot space will include 13 indoor courts with a target opening in April 2025.
REI to Relocate Eugene Store to Oakway Center
The Oakway Center space will be one level and nearly 10,000 square feet larger than the current store with larger product assortments, improved dressing rooms and ample warehouse space. The 41 employees that work at the store can relocate to the new location.
Pickleball Kingdom Partners with Donald Driver for Club Expansion in Wisconsin and Minnesota
Working alongside Greg Straub and Doug Reigle of Pickleball Sports LLC, Driver will launch a flagship club in Menomonee Falls, WI, opening in early March of 2025, with additional clubs planned for Green Bay and Madison.
Report: Affordability Plays Key Role in Global Physical Inactivity
HFA’s latest report, Reversing the Physical Inactivity Crisis – Fitness Affordability as Strategic Policy, covering ten international markets, highlights the important role that affordability plays in global physical inactivity.
Golf VX Enters Franchising Market with First North American Venue
The 12,000-square-foot flagship franchise in Arlington Heights, IL, features 12 golf simulator bays, each with the technology of Golf VX’s T2 simulator with modes for any mix of play, practice and competition.
Brookfield-Backed Trimco Group Acquires Nexgen Packaging
Nexgen Packaging’s management team will continue to manage the business under its current CEO, Jim Welch. The acquisition will allow both companies to integrate their global sales and manufacturing networks.
BJ’s Wholesale Club Adding Ohio Ambient Distribution Center
The new 500,000-square-foot facility, expected to open in early 2027, will join eight BJ’s clubs in the state.
Circana Sees Consumers Shift Back to Value and Need in January
During the combined weeks ending January 11 and January 18, discretionary spending was down flat compared to the prior year, the company reported, with major environmental events impacting the country.
Crunch Franchisee to Break Ground on New Location in Grand Prairie, Texas
CR Fitness Holdings, LLC announced plans to break ground on a new 34,254-square-foot fitness facility, projected to open in late Fall 2025, in Grand Prairie, TX.
