‘It was time to just let go’: After 47 years, owner will sell Nautilus Fitness Center to city

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – It’s a story we’ve been following since June, a longtime gym owner in Spartanburg will have to leave his property because of the government complex project.

The owner of Nautilus Fitness will close his doors at the end of September.

“This brings back a lot of memories,” said gym owner John Lankford, looking at a newspaper clipping from Nautilus Fitness’ first anniversary.

Lankford was 26 years old, when he first opened Nautilus Fitness Center. This week, he would be celebrating an anniversary—47 years in business. Instead he’s selling his equipment and saying goodbye.

“I saw the handwriting on the wall, so we fought it for two years and it was time to just let go,” he said.

Spartanburg city and county are buying the property to build a city-county government complex, paid for by the penny sales tax.

It was about two years ago when the city told Lankford and the owners of Blue Moon restaurant next door they’d need to take their properties to build the complex. ​

“We did not want to leave because we’ve been [on Church Street] since 1987,” Lankford said.

Lankford says the city first offered $1.7 million for his property in June that was based on a property assessment from two years ago— and did not consider current land values. The city recently sent a final offer, which he accepted, fearing the city would use eminent domain if he didn’t.

“I was not able to take that amount of money they were wanting to give me and go to another location and upfit the building. So what happens is basically I’m out of business,” he said.

The center he hoped to pass down to his son, will close at the end of this month,

Lankford says he will always look back on fond memories—like Wednesday morning devotionals, annual St. Jude fundraisers, bodybuilding competitions—and of course, his​ relationships with clients.

“I never thought when I opened up day one that I would still be in business 47 years. so it has been a fulfillment, a sad time now, but as I look back there again I’m sad but I have to be glad because of all the years that I’ve been blessed to do what I enjoy doing,” he said.

He’ll continue personal training services from Trinity Health and Fitness Center.

“God puts our face on the front so we don’t look back, we just keep going forward,” he said.

We reached out to the City of Spartanburg they told us they could not make any comments until the deal is final—which should be within the next few days. We’ll continue to follow this story.

PAST STORIES

‘I’ll be out of business’: Spartanburg gym owner says city gave 3 month notice to relocate

FOLLOW UP: Dozens pack Spartanburg city council, in support of gym urged out by new complex

Copyright 2024 WHNS. All rights reserved.