A new fitness center in Malverne?

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There’s a lot of excitement brewing over a potential new business in Malverne that has yet to sign a lease.

In early July, village residents received a postcard about Fitness 19, a fitness center that was “coming to Malverne” but didn’t specify a location. The postcard offered the first 100 callers a discounted membership — a $9 enrollment fee and a $9 monthly fee.

Within days, the mailing achieved its mission of generating excitement. “I’ve gotten well over 400 phone calls, and they keep coming,” said Michael Hobbs, who owns two other fitness centers — in Buffalo and in Elmwood Park, N.J. — with his wife, Kelly. “It’s very exciting, because that building has been empty for so many years and I’m bringing something new to the village.” The couple has owned fitness centers for 11 years.

In addition to finalizing a lease, the details of which have been in negotiations since last September, Hobbs said, there is much more to do — like meet with the village’s Architectural Review Board, and seek approval for a zoning variance that would allow clients to use the parking spaces behind the building. Hobbs said he is planning to be on the docket at the ARB’s Sept. 22 meeting.

“Before we even started negotiations,” he said, “the landlord talked to the mayor to make sure it was something we could pursue — that we didn’t waste anyone’s time if it wasn’t.” He said he was also keeping in touch with Buildings Supervisor Lou Santoro to make sure he is doing everything he can to “make the village happy.”

The building’s owner, Jeff Persily, declined to comment on the negotiations.

Hobbs is seeking a lease for the entire 18,000 square feet of the former Tri-Color Lab’s first-floor and lower-level space. “All cardio equipment, free weights, an aerobics room and a day care would be on the first floor,” he said, “and in the lower level, lockers, showers, a spinning room, group training room and free weights will be down there as well.” Hobbs is proposing operating on Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., on Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Because he doesn’t yet have a lease, Hobbs has not accepted any money from anyone requesting the discounted membership fee. He is, however, holding the rate for those who have called and asked that their names be put on the list. He hasn’t yet decided what the regular rate will be, he said.

Why did he choose to come to Malverne? “I researched that area and the competition, and I loved the spot,” he said. “Hempstead Avenue is a cute little street, and would be very convenient for people. I fell in love with it.”