By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department shut down operations at The Gym in Trussville, off Deerfoot Parkway, on Friday, May 1, 2020.
In a letter posted on the door of the business, the city said the gym could not reopen until the State Health Officer, through Governor Kay Ivey, deemed the facility as open to the public. The business must also purchase a business license before operating again.
According to a police report, an officer responding to the location on Thursday, April 30, discovered a letter on the door that said “open” on the entry door. The letter contained instructions on how to enter the building. The officer said a patron was inside working out. The officer asked the man to leave and he agreed. Trussville’s Code Enforcement Officer was then called to the location to investigate.
A state health order closed public fitness centers to the public in order to combat the spread of coronavirus. Ivey amended the order on April 28, relaxing some regulations for businesses. However, restrictions were not changed for gyms, hair salons, barbershops, theaters, night clubs, bowling alleys, restaurants or tattoo services.
The Gym in Trussville posted on Facebook that it would be reopening on April 30, at 5 p.m. The post said The Gym had not received a Paycheck Protection Program loan.
“We ask that you support us in our venture/endeavor by joining The Gym in Trussville and support other local businesses as well,” the post stated. “We know this is a very hard time for small businesses. We ourselves had our 1 year anniversary during the shut down.”
In the letter, signed by Code Enforcement Officer Chuck Bradford, also stated that the facility could not reopen until the owner purchased a business license from City Hall.
The owner of The Gym was unable to comment on the closure of the gym but said he plans to speak with an attorney.