The franchise group that operates the region’s Planet Fitness gyms is planning to open a new location in the Meadowdale Plaza shopping center in Chesterfield. (Courtesy Grand Fitness Partners)
The franchise group behind the Richmond-area Planet Fitness gyms is extending its reach in the region.
Grand Fitness Partners is planning to open a new Planet Fitness in the Meadowdale Plaza shopping center in Chesterfield by early 2025, spokeswoman DonnaMarie Hendriksen said Monday.
The new gym is expected to open in the 21,000-square-foot space at 4020 Meadowdale Blvd., according to a building permit filed with Chesterfield County and a leasing flyer for the Food Lion-anchored center.
The space is currently occupied by Marshalls next to Ollie’s Bargain Outlet.
A general contractor for the project hasn’t been selected yet, Hendriksen said. She said the cost estimate for the project hasn’t yet been determined.
The new location will be outfitted with strength equipment, cardio machines, rowing machines and locker rooms among other features.
The Planet Fitness at Meadowdale will be Grand Fitness’ seventh location in the Richmond region. It follows the February 2023 opening of the group’s location at Stony Point Shopping Center, which was one of two locations Grand Fitness opened following its acquisition of a Richmond-region gyms portfolio in 2021.
Its other local Planet Fitness locations are at 7297 Battle Hill Drive in Hanover, 4951 Nine Mile Road and 9703 W. Broad St. in Henrico, 11001 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield and 230 Southpark Circle in Colonial Heights.
New Jersey-based Grand Fitness was founded in 2010 by David Bidwell and Scott Linsky. The company has 75 Planet Fitness locations in Virginia, New Jersey, Florida and California.
The franchise group has a total of 15 locations in Virginia, with its out-of-town outposts in Fredericksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Salem and Christiansburg.
Jim Ashby and Nicki Jassy of Thalhimer represented Planet Fitness in lease negotiations for the Meadowdale spot.
As for Marshalls, the retail chain’s exit from Meadowdale shopping center comes as it eyes a nearby space at 5730 Hopkins Road in the Meadowbrook Plaza center that’s less than a mile’s drive.
Marshalls is expected to open on Hopkins Road in early August, according to a permit received by Chesterfield this week. The retailer didn’t respond to a request for comment Monday.
Meadowbrook Plaza is anchored by a Walmart Neighborhood Market. Gold’s Gym has an outpost in that shopping center, where plant-growing supplies store GrowGeneration also has a presence.
Marshalls also has a new location set to open at Westchester Commons May 16, per the company’s website.