Ann Arbor's gym geared toward women has raised more than half of the funds necessary to buy the franchise and stay open with the help of the community, club members and neighboring businesses.
Members came together to brainstorm ways to keep their club open.
Janet Miler | For AnnArbor.com
Curves Weight Loss Center's Ann Arbor franchise, located in Westgate Shopping Center, has raised $32,785 in just three weeks. By Aug. 16, the facility hopes to have met its goal of $48,500 so that the tight-knit community can stay together.
The fundraising push by Curves members to keep their gym up and running began when owner Robin Long sent out an email stating that she would be forced to close Curves if the club couldn’t be sold by the end of September.
“I got emails, phone calls and text messages that said ‘you can’t do that’ or ‘oh my gosh we can’t let this place close’ and that same week we had a meeting driven by members with just 24 hours notice,” Long said. “40 women showed up that night and the idea was to brainstorm ways that we could keep the club open and that’s really where it began.”
Members decided to raise money to meet the asking price Long had set when she originally put her club on the market in late winter. If the goal is met, the franchise agreement will be transferred to Curves employee Jeri Shumate who had shown interest in purchasing the club, but did not have the necessary financial backing.
“Jeri is like an extension of me and has been totally embraced by this community,” Long said. “I couldn’t have Curves go to a better person and the members know they’re in good hands.”
Long said about 85 percent of the money already collected is from member donations.
“I think we’ve had maybe 14 members that gave $1,000 each,” Long said. “I’ve had people that have given $10,000, that have given $5,000, $250 or $500. The amount of support is amazing.”
In addition to member donations, money is coming in from the Curves GoFundMe account, which has raised nearly $5,000.
“We’ve also seen overwhelming support from our neighbors who have made donations or are giving us a percentage of their proceeds if people have a coupon or mention Curves,” Shumate said. “It makes us feel like we are a very valid and thriving business that is important to them.”
Happy House Cards & Gifts held a fundraiser in late July, which donated 20 percent of proceeds to Curves when presented a coupon by customers. Nicola’s Books is holding a similar fundraiser lasting until August 14 and Mast Shoes made a cash donation and gave a $25 gift card to be raffled off.
To raise the remaining funds, Curves will host a silent auction and raffle between Aug. 1 and Aug. 14. Items for the event were donated by club members.
“We have 87 items for the auction and raffle so far and they’re still bringing things in,” Shumate said. “There is everything from Waterford Crystal to little handmade Christmas coasters. Some things are gently used and others are brand new.”
Long said she has no doubt the club will meet its goal and that Curves will continue to thrive under Shumate’s leadership.
“I have mixed feelings about leaving Curves, but I feel like I’ve run my course,” Long said. “The last couple years have been challenging for me. The members carried me through some difficult times and to be able to turn the club over to someone that has the energy, enthusiasm and drive that I used to have is good for the club, good for the members and good for the community. I’m really going to miss it though.”
After owning the club for 11 years, Long hopes to remain involved through coaching the Curves weight management plan, which she has been doing for several years.
Chelsea Hoedl is an intern reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at choedl@mlive.com.