By Jim Newell
Review Editor
A Planet Fitness may be coming to Orion Township later this year in the space formerly occupied by the Hollywood Markets grocery store.
Rumors of a fitness center going into the site surfaced even before Hollywood Market closed this month, but Ed Boutrous, owner of The Lake Orion Plaza, did confirm to The Lake Orion Review last week that a Planet Fitness is in the works.
It is, however, far from a done deal, said Boutrous.
Any deal is contingent on Orion Township approving a special land use request for a 24-hour facility in the plaza.
“We have applied for a special land use with Orion Township,” Boutrous said. “We have not concluded, or are close to concluding a lease agreement.”
The Orion Township Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Feb. 21 for residents to weigh in on the proposed extended hour facility special land use request for Planet Fitness. The meeting is in the lower level of Township Hall, 2525 Joslyn Rd.
Township Supervisor Chris Barnett did confirm on Friday that the township had received on Wednesday a site plan and special land use request for Planet Fitness during his “Coffee with Chris” community chat at the Orion Center.
Planet Fitness is a low-cost 24-hour fitness center. Part of the special land use request is to have some lights in the plaza on overnight, Boutrous said.
There is a new Planet Fitness in Royal Oak and Boutrous said he expects the Orion Township Planet Fitness to be of the same quality.
“It’s a beautiful facility. And we think this Planet Fitness will be a really nice addition to the Orion community,” he said. “This organization is a very large franchisee, a very good, strong franchisee.”
The proposed Planet Fitness would use the entire 30,000 square foot space, and there are some changes coming to the plaza.
The canopy on a portion of the Hollywood Markets building will be removed and the pillars will be covered up. “We’re pretty excited to be able to upgrade,” Boutrous said, adding that more improvements would likely be made in the plaza in the future.
There was an immediate backlash from the community once it was announced that Hollywood Markets would close its Orion Township store. Many people blamed The Boutrous Companies – which owns the plaza – for not coming to a lease agreement with Hollywood.
Boutrous says that, despite the rumors swirling online, the family-owned Boutrous Companies had nothing against Hollywood Market and did not try to force them out, as some people have claimed.
“As a landlord, you don’t really like losing a tenant,” said Boutrous, who also owns The Shops at the Shores plaza on Lapeer Road with Kroger. “We’re Lake Orion guys. We care about the community.”
“No one really got rid of Hollywood (Markets). It was in their plans to close,” Barnett said, adding that the Orion Township store was one of the companies underperforming stores.
Planet Fitness could be coming to former Hollywood Markets site added by scarroll on
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This is long overdue, especially considering the other workout facilities in the area are way overpriced and the one that is affordable has a douchebag that runs it. I wish I had the money because I would’ve opened a planet fitness 2yrs ago. This definitely was the best idea that has come to Lake Orion/Oxford in the last 10yrs of me living here. Thank you Thank you.
Cannot wait!–I work odd hours and this facility is right close to home!–Planet Fitness is staffed 24/7 unlike Snap and Anytime–this is comforting–Thank you Mr. Newell– Please keep us updated on the opening and Hurry up! lol
I’m so happy that I won’t have to drive to Rochester or Waterford for my pf workout. Does anyone know when it is scheduled to open?
They have not released a firm date. Tentatively this fall. We will follow up as the renovations get closer to completion.
Those of you individuals who have claimed Planet Fitness will not last, you are very uninformed. The other nearby gyms are to small or in the case of Great Lakes to expensive. I am sure not made of money and I believe the new fitness center will thrive. Sounds to me like the nay sayer’s are either afraid to put the fork down or just plain afraid of exercise.
Planet Fitness chose well. They will be very well received by the community of L.O.
I would love to see Planet Fitness come to Orion Twp. I look forward to the additional revenue it will bring local businesses. They are well maintained, economical gyms with a no judgement attitude that is more inclusive than most gyms in our area. This would be a great addition to our little community.
Actually, I would have expected that the Rochester Hills would close with LifeTime Fitness with so many offerings, and yet, it’s a different clientele. Great Lakes Fitness is high endowment that…not all of us can afford that. Planet Fitness also has the advantage that as a black card member, I can use other clubs in other states when I travel for work. Traffic aside, I applaud the inclusion!
We don’t need another Gym in the area ! It will go out of business just give it time.
I truly believe this is a great addition. Planet Fitness isn’t like most of the other gyms. The other gyms in the area are too small and do not have adequate equipment. I just moved to the area and I cannot wait for this to happen, whether it is in this location or somewhere close by. As a former personal trainer, every one of my past clients used Planet Fitness for their off days to workout and do cardio. So, money will help pay off in the end. Such a great idea for this area. I hope the plan continues and is taken into action. 🙂 Good luck to the deciders and I will be looking out for signs or updated information.
Well, of course we need to put another gym in. LO only does things in a minimum of 3’s
3 Mexican places
3 BBQ places
3 Thai places
3 eyeglass stores
etc. etc. etc.
We even have 3 places to choose a mattress!!
All the potential of that space and they may put in a gym…. with a gym 500 yards in both directions of that location. What a waste of space. Literally.
Kroger sure is busy now……