Whether you’re getting back in shape, fine-tuning your workout regimen or looking to shed the quarantine 15, a new fitness facility in Bethlehem is ready to help.
Powerhouse Gym, featuring state-of-the-art equipment, personal training and more, opened July 11 at 2134 W. Union Blvd.
The 22,000-square-foot facility, occupying the former Gold’s Gym space in the Lehigh Shopping Center, is the first Lehigh Valley location of a 46-year-old chain of more than 300 gyms worldwide.
The renovated space features new rubber flooring, LED lighting, locker rooms, an HVAC system and more than 100 pieces of cardio and strength training equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers and leg press, lat pulldown and bicep curl machines.
Owner Patrick Sweeney labels the pendulum squat, vertical leg press, donkey calf raise and multifunctional Pit Shark machines as “some of the more unique apparatus.”
“When I created the design for this gym, I wanted to make sure people felt energized, motivated and inspired,” Sweeney said. “A big part of that comes from the very unique equipment that delivers the results people are looking for.”
Members can use a free-weight room as well as a second-level stretching area, featuring a punching bag and functional equipment such as medicine balls and resistance bands.
Two group classrooms, one with 21 stationary bicycles for spin classes and another for Zumba, body pump and other fitness programs, will be operational once the severity of the pandemic diminishes.
In addition to halting group classes, other COVID-19 safety measures include reducing the gym’s maximum capacity to 50% — or 200 people — encouraging social distancing by restricting every other locker and every other piece of cardio equipment, and placing three air sanitizing machines throughout the facility. Face masks are required to be worn when entering and leaving the gym, but members can remove them while working out.
“I feel like any precaution that I can take, I’m going to take it,” Sweeney said. “We also have equipment cleaning and hand sanitizer stations throughout the gym, and each machine has its own disinfectant spray bottle.”
Powerhouse, which also features filtered water coolers, a smoothie bar (coming soon) and pro shop with protein powder and Powerhouse apparel, opened with limited hours, but it is expected to switch to 24/7 access this week following the installation of a key fob security system.
Prospective members can take advantage of an opening special: $1 enrollment fee and $29.95 monthly dues with no commitment. Info: 610-419-9080.
Goldfish Swim School
Another franchise looking to keep members active is also opening its first Lehigh Valley location in Bethlehem.
Goldfish Swim School, which provides year-round swimming lessons to children ages 4 months to 12 years, is set to open Tuesday at 3055 Linden St. (former Best General Store site), according to Joseph Negrao Jr., who’s operating the business with his wife, Luana.
Like the more than 100 other Goldfish locations in North America, the Bethlehem facility features a pool heated to 90 degrees, an air-conditioned viewing gallery for parents and a maximum 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
There are 12 horizontal pool lanes, with only six set to be used in the business’ initial weeks due to COVID-19 safety precautions, said Ruth Gameiro, assistant general manager.
Other safety measures include daily team health assessments, with anyone who is not feeling well or has COVID-19 symptoms not being permitted to work; reducing the number of families in the viewing area, with guests maintaining a safe social distance; increasing attention to disinfecting efforts, with additional attention to high-traffic areas; and installing an ultraviolet light unit that kills bacteria and any other harmful microorganisms in the water before it is pumped into the pool.
Team members will wear face masks on the dry side of the school, while children will be asked to wear them when entering and exiting the school.
“We’re using every other changing hut, every other shower and every other hair drying station,” Luana Negrao added. “We’re also offering hand sanitizer and taking everyone’s temperature as soon as they enter the facility.”
Monthly plans, which include one 30-minute class a week, are typically $94, but a preopening special of $84 a month is being offered to the first 500 registrants. Info: 610-365-4725; goldfishswimschool.com/bethlehem.
Easton news
While some businesses are calling it quits amid the pandemic, five others are just getting off the ground in downtown Easton.
First, The Keystone Barbershop, offering haircutting and styling for men, children and women with short hair, opened June 26 at 13 S. Second St. (former Easton House of Jerky space).
The one-chair barbershop is operated by Nate Storck, a 1998 Emmaus High School graduate who has been cutting hair for the past six years.
Storck offers hot-lather neck shaves and steam towels at the end of each haircut. However, services that would require clients to take off their masks, including facial shaves and beard and mustache trims, are temporarily unavailable. Info: 484-222-0052; thekeystonebarbershop.com.
Second, ERA The Vintage Shoppe, offering vintage and unique finds, opened July 3 at 140 Northampton St., on the ground floor of the Grand Eastonian Hotel & Suites.
The business, operated by mother and daughter Carol and Amy Richline, offers an eclectic mix of goods, including framed Bethlehem Steel blueprints, vinyl records, table lamps, kitchen accessories, artwork, estate jewelry, handbags, Major League Baseball team pennants and artisan health and beauty products. Info: 484-240-9573.
Third, Salon Authentic, offering haircutting, coloring and styling for men, women and children, recently opened at 75 N. Fourth St.
Services include single process retouches, glaze with retouches, partial and full foils, basic blowouts, formal styling and smoothing treatments.
The salon, operated by Katie Weber, carries Kevin Murphy products. Info: salonauthentic.com.
Fourth, True Hue Creations, offering hand-dyed adult and children’s clothing, towels, sheets and other items, is set to open in mid-August at 15 S. Second St.
Owner Nene Pender also plans to offer all-natural body care items such as sugar scrubs and whipped body butter.
“We have hand-dyed leggings, dresses, skirts, baby blankets — a nice variety of items,” Pender said. Info: truehuecreations.com.
Lastly, Ciao! Sandwich Shoppe, offering Italian deli-style sandwiches and other specialty items such as rice balls, charcuterie boards and cookies, is expected to open in early September at 12 N. Third St., according to co-owner Frank Luise.
The eatery, with seating for six to eight customers, also will sell Boar’s Head meats and fresh mozzarella and other cheeses by the pound.
Closing notes
I’ll finish with a few closing notes:
In Upper Nazareth Township, longtime cheesemaker Calandra’s Cheese has closed at 350 E. Lawn Ave., according to a recorded message on the business’ answering machine.
“We have retired,” the message says. “However, we are trying to sell the business.”
Calandra’s was founded in 1949 by the late Salvatore “Sam” and Benedetta “Bessie” Calandra, with the couple’s sons, Charlie and Sal, heading operations in recent decades.
The business was known for its homemade ricotta, Romano and mozzarella, along with other cheeses such as Asiago, Parmesan and sharp provolone. Individuals with serious inquiries about purchasing the business may call 610-759-2299 and leave a message for the family.
Another longstanding business, Schuylkill Valley Sports is closing several area stores as “the face of retail continues to change” and as the company has “faced challenges” during the coronavirus crisis, according to an announcement on the business’ website. The full-service sporting goods retailer and team athletic dealer originated in Audubon, Montgomery County, in 1971.
In the online message, Schuylkill Valley Sports CEO and President Jason Lutz updated customers on the business’ “game plan,” which includes the permanent closure of two Lehigh Valley locations: a South Mall store, which closed July 12; and a Palmer Park Mall store, which has yet to announce a closing date.
An employee at the Palmer Park location said the store is slated to close in September, but it could be sooner depending on how quickly inventory is sold.
The company will continue to sell items online as well as at a handful of remaining stores, including a location on Route 309 in Quakertown. Info: svsports.com.
Lastly, Roma Ristorante, an Italian restaurant at 925 Airport Center Drive in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, on Monday announced its permanent closure via a post on the business’ Facebook page.
“Due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, it is with a heavy heart that we have closed Roma Ristorante after eleven years,” the post reads.
Operator Geno Grantham, who took control of the business a few years ago, informed a commenter that the business “will not be compensating anyone for their outstanding gift cards.”
Retail Watch, appearing every weekend, keeps track of retail and restaurant news in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com.