The owners of Curves Ahwatukee, a women’s fitness center at 15410 S. Mountain Parkway in Ahwatukee, announced Wednesday that the center will close April 24 because of their inability to find a buyer for their 400-member franchise in the weak economy.
“Unfortunately in times like these many people feel that gym memberships are luxuries and we saw a steady drop in our membership throughout 2008 and most rapidly over the past 6 to 8 months,” said Dawn Rutledge, co-owner of the franchise, which specializes in 30-minute workouts for women only.
“Of course, as fitness professionals we understand the benefits of maintaining a regular workout routine, especially during stressful times.Gym memberships should be the last thing to go. Consider axing your cable bill first.”
But not enough Ahwatukee members followed that advice, she said.
Curves itself, a Harlingen, Texas, franchising company founded in 1992, is not going out of business. There are other franchises within four miles of Ahwatukee, including one on Baseline Road in south Phoenix and another in south Tempe.
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