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A Gold's Gym franchise is opening in the former Hechinger's building in Gateway Village shopping center. Date published: 3/4/2006 By CATHY JETT By CATHY JETT Gateway Village shopping center on State Route 3 is finally getting a new anchor. A Gold's Gym franchise is moving into the former Hechinger's, which has been vacant since the home-improvement chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed in 1999. "We think Fredericksburg is a great area," said co-owner Eddie Dail, who also is a partner in the Gold's Gym in Culpeper. "It's the best part of the D.C. market." The new Gold's will open in more than two-thirds of the 60,000 square-foot Hechinger's building between Sept. 1 and Oct. 1. Allied Building Products Corp., which sells to professional contractors and remodelers, already occupies the rest of building. "The gym has the potential to increase the number of people who go to the shopping center," said Patrice Duker, spokeswoman for the International Council of Shopping Centers. "It will enhance the tenant mix." The new gym's highlights will include a cardio cinema, where members can exercise while watching movies; a Cybex Trazer, a virtual reality exercise machine; a 25-meter, four-lane swimming pool; a half court for basketball; a cafe; and a Kids' Club for infants to 12-year-olds. "The Kids' Club will be over 3,000 square feet and will have exercise components that are fun," Dail said. "That's something I'm very passionate about. We want the kids to cry when they leave, not when they come here." The new Gold's also will have 100 pieces of cardio equipment, including Cybex treadmills and arc trainers; a full line of strength-training equipment; aerobics, Pilates and yoga classes; a workout area just for women; a doctor's office offering free consultations once a week; tanning booths; and sports massage. Gold's already has set up shop in a storefront near Fredericksburg Golf Center in Gateway Village. It is selling memberships at an introductory price of $24.99 per month, and will have cardio and strength-training equipment set up in this location next week. "The membership fee will go up in phases until we open, and will probably end at $40 per month," Dail said. Gold's policy, however, is to continue charging members whatever price was in force when they signed up. "When I opened a Gold's in Fairfax, membership was $19.99 a month," Dail said. "I still have members who are paying $19.99."
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