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The produce and meat departments left the building long ago. Even the oversized statue of Big John is gone from the Rend Lake Plaza shopping center.
William and Warren Stark and their wives are breathing new life into the building that has been vacant for a number of years. Work continues to remodel the interior of the former Big John store — and for the Starks, it is a dream come true.
“We saw the lack of a full-service fitness facility in Franklin County like the other communities around us have,” William Stark said. “Marion and Carbondale both have Gold’s Gym, but there is nothing like that for folks in this county. We wanted to change that and create a one-stop shop. We have named it Stark Total Body Fitness and Tanning and are confident it will meet all of your fitness needs.
“My brother Warren and his wife, Karen, and my wife, Valerie, and I are going into this business 50/50,” he said. “We hope to open in mid to late April and started our pre-sale on Tuesday. People can get ahead of the game by visiting our Facebook page to learn more about what will be offered and to sign up for membership.”
The opening of Stark Total Body Fitness and Tanning means other changes for William Stark, who will be stepping down from his position with U.S. Bank.
“My last day at the bank will be March 30,” he said. “I will be devoting full time to the new business.”
The venture also means employment opportunities.
“The business has created nine full- and part-time jobs,” William said. “We have hired the trainers, the instructors that will teach the classes, people at the front desk and those who will help with child care.”
Stark said the one-stop fitness center will provide child care to its membership.
“The facility will offer the entire circuit of cardio fitness training, weight and circuit equipment, tanning, massage and a dry sauna, to name a few of our services,” he said. “We also feature an indoor walking track, a halfcourt basketball and Zumba, body fitness and spinning taught by certified instructors in our 1,200-square-foot aerobics room and our dedicated spinning room.
“We are remodeling every square inch of the 17,000-square-foot space and are excited about the possibility to serve the needs of so many people,” Stark said. “Separate showers for men and women are included in the membership package along with lockers and free child care for members while they work out tan or have a relaxing massage.”
The produce and meat departments left the building long ago. Even the oversized statue of Big John is gone from the Rend Lake Plaza shopping center.
William and Warren Stark and their wives are breathing new life into the building that has been vacant for a number of years. Work continues to remodel the interior of the former Big John store — and for the Starks, it is a dream come true.
“We saw the lack of a full-service fitness facility in Franklin County like the other communities around us have,” William Stark said. “Marion and Carbondale both have Gold’s Gym, but there is nothing like that for folks in this county. We wanted to change that and create a one-stop shop. We have named it Stark Total Body Fitness and Tanning and are confident it will meet all of your fitness needs.
“My brother Warren and his wife, Karen, and my wife, Valerie, and I are going into this business 50/50,” he said. “We hope to open in mid to late April and started our pre-sale on Tuesday. People can get ahead of the game by visiting our Facebook page to learn more about what will be offered and to sign up for membership.”
The opening of Stark Total Body Fitness and Tanning means other changes for William Stark, who will be stepping down from his position with U.S. Bank.
“My last day at the bank will be March 30,” he said. “I will be devoting full time to the new business.”
The venture also means employment opportunities.
“The business has created nine full- and part-time jobs,” William said. “We have hired the trainers, the instructors that will teach the classes, people at the front desk and those who will help with child care.”
Stark said the one-stop fitness center will provide child care to its membership.
“The facility will offer the entire circuit of cardio fitness training, weight and circuit equipment, tanning, massage and a dry sauna, to name a few of our services,” he said. “We also feature an indoor walking track, a halfcourt basketball and Zumba, body fitness and spinning taught by certified instructors in our 1,200-square-foot aerobics room and our dedicated spinning room.
“We are remodeling every square inch of the 17,000-square-foot space and are excited about the possibility to serve the needs of so many people,” Stark said. “Separate showers for men and women are included in the membership package along with lockers and free child care for members while they work out tan or have a relaxing massage.”
Stark said complimentary coffee will be served throughout the day from the Starbucks kiosk located within the fitness center.
“We will also offer a full line of supplements and tanning lotions for members purchase and take home with them as well as a pro shop,” he said. “We will be the new home for IQ athletics and Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu being taught by Royce Gracie black belt Jared Jessup and his team of instructors.”
Stark said the Stark Total Body Fitness and Tanning is the cure for the common gym.
“It is easy to sign up for membership,” he said. “Just send an email to starktotalbody@gmail.com with your contact information and one of our fabulous employees Jennifer Appleby will contact you. The good news is that you don’t have to pay for membership until May.
“We will be a 24-hour access facility for weights, cardio, and circuit equipment and encourage families to take advantage of our family memberships,” Stark said. “We will be located at 1 Rend Lake Plaza and will have convenient hours in addition to 24 hour access for some of our services.”
Stark Total Body Fitness and Tanning will be open from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Sunday.
For more info, visit www.facebook.com/pages/Stark-Total-Body-Fitness-and-Tanning, email starktotalbody@gmail.com or call 435-3124. Stark said the phone would be in operation beginning on Tuesday.
“We have received a number of comments on our Facebook page from people who cannot wait for the gym to open,” he said.
