Judge Orders Gold's Gym to Reopen

EAST GREENWICH, RI—The abrupt closure of Gold’s Gym in East Greenwich has been lifted, for now, under certain conditions.

Superior Court Judge Brian Stern ruled Wednesday morning that the business shall reopen and the court-appointed receiver will give the court bi-weekly status updates.

In addition, Stern ordered that the gym get a reprieve on its rent until January and continue to pay its employees. Employees are also due to be paid $28,000 they are owed.

Stern ordered the gym close and liquidated on Tuesday after the owners, Barry H. Field, Michael J. Field and Marla E. Director, asked the court to put the business into receivership after it became insolvent. Stern agreed last Friday.

Now, the owners have indicated that a sale of the business is possible and remain optimistic.

Gym members on Tuesday expressed shock that their gym was being closed without warning. Many grumbled about recently paying membership fees and wondered about refunds.

“Absolutely no notification was given,” said Laurie Lavery, who has been a member for years and pays automatically with a monthly charge to a credit card.

Janelle Haire, a college student, said she just joined the gym two weeks ago. She said she’s thankful she just bought a one-month membership before committing for a full year. And based on her experience, even if Gold’s stays open, she might be shopping elsewhere.

“The manager tried to talk me into a year’s membership several times. During my time there I have seen many people tour the gym, and some even went to the office after the tour, likely to commit to a membership. The lies they so easily told me and others leaves a very sour taste in my mouth,” Haire said. “I am disappointed that they could be so false with their customers. It is obvious they knew they were going to file for bankruptcy. How could they keep on acting like everything was going so well?”

This is a developing story.