Employees save Johnson Lane gym

Former employees of a Johnson Lane gym have taken over the operation and renamed it.

Johnson Lane Fitness opened for business on Feb. 11 thanks to Minden residents Jill Fujii and Kelly Corley. The two women had worked at Define Fitness in the same location before the business left.

"We talked to the owners of the building, and they felt that if we could make it in this economy, then we could make it anywhere," said Fujii. "Business-wise, we had their full backing. It's really a positive story for these economic times."

The gym offers tanning beds, a large weight room, arc trainers, stationary bicycles, treadmills and four personal trainers, among other things.

Both Fujii and Corley said they wanted to protect and retain the gym's loyal customers.

"We cared a lot about the members," Corley said. "We have the same people now."

She said the gym has about 600 active members, but that the number is growing.

"It's word-of-mouth," she said.

Unlike Fujii who used to own West Coast Martial Arts, Corley has never owned a business before.

"It's challenging," she said. "A lot of long hours."

"It's challenging and exciting at the same time," Fujii added.

Johnson Lane Fitness is located at 2528 Business Parkway, Suite A. Business hours are 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to Sunday.

Call 267-0389 for more information.