EAST HARDWICK – On September 1, Hardwick Fitness relocated its gym to The Hardwick Chiropractic Center on 54 School Circle in East Hardwick Village. Originally named ‘Community Fitness,’ Hardwick Fitness was started in the Old School House building by Dr. Grace Johnstone and Cheryl Harper. In 2005, Johnstone sold the gym to personal trainers Steve and Julie Parker, who renamed it S&J Fitness.
“We moved S&J into town [the Hardwick Inn] in late 2010” commented Julie. About five years later, according to Parker, they sold the business to Caron Dunlop who changed the name to Hardwick Fitness.
Five years ago, gym member Danielle Bailey became concerned when she noticed the fitness center was for sale. “I saw the gym was for sale and I didn’t want the community to lose it,” Bailey said. At first she shared the for-sale information with her friends and on social media, hoping to help find a buyer. Eventually, a friend told her that this “should be your next thing,” inspiring Bailey to purchase the business herself.
Bailey was not new to owning a small business; she’d previously managed a daycare in her home for over 20 years. Bailey purchased the business and is its current owner and manager. And now, coming full circle, the gym is returning to its original East Hardwick location.
Bailey has lived in Hardwick her entire life and is a Hazen Union graduate with many connections to East Hardwick and the old school building. She remembers going to school in East Hardwick in kindergarten or first grade. At one time Bailey and her husband, David, lived on School Street in a house located next to School Circle. When S&J Fitness moved to Hardwick, David, a carpenter, upgraded and increased the energy efficiency on the lower floor of Hardwick Chiropractic, where the fitness center is once again located.
Bailey tries to find ways in which the business can successfully give back to her community, offering a special membership plan to Hardwick Rescue, and looking for opportunities to support the endeavors of gym members.
Dr. Johnstone said, “It is such a pleasure to be reconnected with Danielle and to have the fitness center back in action here in East Hardwick. Danielle does a terrific job in making this full-service fitness center available to our extensive community.”
Hardwick Fitness is open 24-7 with keypad access for members. Members enjoy cardio and free weights equipment, a private yoga space, lockers and showers. The space is newly painted and has lots of windows, filling it with light.
Bailey said that her members are enjoying the abundance of parking and the easy access into the first floor space with a door leading directly from the parking lot. Since moving, Bailey has had inquiries from people who live in East Hardwick and the nearby towns of Walden and Greensboro who have expressed how convenient the new location is for them.
In appreciation of her new neighborhood, Bailey is offering a one month trial membership of $30 for residents of East Hardwick.
There are regular membership and discounts for students, couples and families. Prospective members must make an appointment to see the gym and to enroll. Bailey can be contacted for an appointment online at HardwickFitness.com or by text at (802) 917-3504.
